Disclaimer: He still won't give it to me.
A/N: Okay, so here is the redone chapter! I like it a little bit better. Its not too different, just a few changed words, and a couple of added scenes. Its 10 pages on word instead of 7. lol!
Thanks to all my loyal supporters thus far!
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"So Elliot just threw the guy into the wall and stalked out, leaving me, the lawyer, and the suspect stunned." The girls were all at Olivia's apartment and were in tears over the story Olivia had just told about Elliot and his temper problem.
"All that was over a comment about his tie?" Dani was slightly shocked.
"Well, it was shortly after I started working with him. I guess his temper calmed down some in the past 8 years!" Olivia grinned.
"Oh, remember that one time when you and him came barreling into my office. Liv?" Casey gasped out, holding her sides.
"Which time, Case?" Olivia shot back. "You'll have to refresh my memory."
"Any of them."
They all burst out laughing again. "I think that it's time to eat. I'm getting hungry." Dani leaned back against the couch back.
Casey gave her a shove on the shoulder. "You're always hungry, Dani."
"Shuddup."
"Pizza's on its way." Melinda spoke up. It'll be here soon. I ordered as soon as I got here, just like you asked, Liv."
"Good!" Olivia rubbed her hands together as if she were plotting something. "What do you all say to pranking the guys when we're done eating?"
The evil glint passed through the other three's eyes. "Sounds like a good idea." Casey grinned. "I need to get John back for yesterday."
"Well I happen to know that they are all at Don's place. When he found out that we girls were having a party and that he wasn't invited, he decided to have his own party with John and Fin." Olivia divulged the information matter-a-factly.
Melinda smirked. "And I have the perfect plan."
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"How many drinks have you had, Fin?" Munch laughed at a very drunk Fin who was singing a bad rendition of a Brittney Spears song.
"I dunno." He slurred his words. "Maybe five or six? You've had more than me!"
"Have not!"
"Have too!"
"Have not!"
"Have too!"
"Detectives!" Cragen burst in. "You both have had way more than you should." He held his head in his hands. "What have I done?" He muttered.
"Man, it's a goo' thin' tha' the girls ain't here." Fin mumbled.
"Hell hic yeah." Munch hiccupped.
Cragen just raised an eyebrow. "You guys are more than drunk. Your bloody smashed."
Munch slung an arm around the captain's shoulders. "Iz okay, cap. You don't haffta be jealous. You can have Melinda."
"Jealous? Melinda? What? She's like 20 years younger than me!" Cragen closed his eyes momentarily. Must…not…strangle! "Besides, doesn't she have a boyfriend?" Reminder to self: drunk Munch and Fin equals loss of ability to think!
"Good point." Munch agreed sadly. "Too bad."
"Enough about my love life." Cragen ordered.
"Or lack thereof." Fin interrupted.
"Shut up." Cragen growled. Must…refrain…from killing…them…I need…them…alive…
"Hey, let's prank call the girls!" Munch yelled gleefully.
"Okay!" Fin agreed excitedly. Yes, those two were very drunk. And when two drunken guys with their very sober and disgruntled captain call their four favorite girls, chaos will ensue.
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Before the girls could pursue the idea of a prank, Olivia's door buzzed. "That would be the pizza. I'll be right back."
Shortly after Olivia left, her home phone began to ring. The three looked at it in confusion. "Should I answer that?" Dani questioned.
"Sure, why not?" Casey shrugged.
Dani paused, and then picked the phone up with a grin. "Olivia Benson's answering service, this is Dani Beck speaking. Who might I ask is calling?"
"Is your refrigerator running?" The voice was vaguely familiar.
"Of course it is." Dani said slowly.
"Then you'd better catch it!" The voice was giggling uncontrollably.
"John Daniel Munch!" Dani yelled. "Get off the damn phone when you're drunk!"
Casey burst out laughing. "Now I know what they're doing over there!" She held out her hand. "Let me talk to him."
Dani sighed and handed over the phone wincing at the whining protest at Dani's yelling on the other line.
"Hi John." Casey said sweetly. "I just want you to know that if you get sick from all that drinking, I am NOT taking care of you."
"Aww, Caseywasy!" He protested. "But I wov you!"
She grinned, amused at his drunken declaration, but kept her tone serious. "John, I'm serious. Hang up the phone, and stop drinking!" She hung up the phone emphatically and laughed. "Oh that was perfect. They are drunk out of their minds. Did you hear Fin in the background?"
Melinda and Dani were rolling on the floor laughing. "Poor Don! Imagine if Elliot were there!" Melinda exclaimed. Casey grinned and joined in the loud laughter.
"If Elliot were where?" Olivia came back in time to hear the last part of Melinda's statement, putting the pizza on the table.
"Munch just called, and he and Fin and both drunk out of their minds. He just asked if our refrigerator was running. I would almost bet anything that Don is sitting there ready to kill them."
Olivia grinned. "And you were saying that if Elliot were there…" She burst out laughing. "I don't think that I want to know what those guys would be doing if Elliot were there! There are angry drunks and there are happy drunks. And then there's Elliot."
The four of them burst out laughing again. "Well, if they call again, I want to answer the phone." Melinda said. "I know how to get them back!"
No sooner had she said that then the phone rang again. "It's payback time." Melinda then answered it with a wicked grin and in a sultry, flirty voice. "Sugar's house of Love. How might we be of service to you today?"
The other three girls had a hard time keeping the snorts of laughter inside.
SVUSVUSVUSVUSVU-meanwhile, at Don Cragen's house…(this is going at the same time as above. So John dropping the phone is after Casey hung up on him.)
John dropped the phone. "Awww, she hung up on me!"
"That's because you used the oldest and dumbest prank in the book! Man, it is so my turn!" Fin grabbed the phone from off the floor and punched in some numbers. "Listen and learn my friend."
"Sugar's house of Love. How might we be of service to you?"
Fin nearly dropped the phone in shock. "Ummm….is Olivia Benson there?"
"Is that her real name, sir?" He wasn't sure, but the voice sounded somewhat familiar.
"Yes…" He said hesitantly.
"Okay, please hold a moment sir."
He thought her heard faint giggling in the background, but considering what place he had apparently called, that was to be expected. After a bit, another voice came onto the line.
"This is Olivia. How do you require my service today, Detective Tutola? Or do you want me to get Detective Beck?"
This time Fin did drop the phone. "How the hell did you know it was me!" He yelled, picking the phone up again.
Laughter greeted him. "We so got you back, guys! Booya!"
The phone clicked, and the dial tone sounded.
Munch was rolling on the floor snorting he was laughing so hard. "Oh, ho ho, Fin. That was hilarious!" Munch snickered. "Sugar's house of Love! That is great!"
"That's it." Don said. "It's my turn. I'm calling them in 30 minutes so they won't suspect us." The detectives were much more sober than they had been 20 minutes earlier. Thank God! I'm not sure how much more of this state of drunkenness I can take!
SVUSVUSVUSVU- We now return to Olivia's apartment
The girls were scarfing down pizza and root beer. They wanted to be completely sober this evening.
"Next time the phone rings, push the speaker button. That way, we all can hear it." Dani instructed.
"I'll answer it." Olivia said. "It's my house, so I get to answer it next." She finished off her fourth slice.
"Damn, girls! We finished off two pizzas!" Melinda chortled.
"Dani ate one of them!" Casey teased.
Dani threw a crust at the ADA who in turn threw a wadded up napkin at her. It missed and hit Olivia instead. Olivia gasped and threw her own crust at Casey, who ducked and it hit Melinda instead. With giggles abundant, wadded paper and pizza crusts began flying in all different directions.
A shrill ringing interrupted their play. "Shhhh!" Olivia ordered, walking to her phone and pressing speaker phone. "Benson."
"Bonjour, Mademoiselle Benson." A French accent greeted those listening on the speaker.
They all rolled their eyes, all of the recognizing the voice of Don Cragen. Olivia swallowed a laugh and answered him. "Oui, Monsieur? Ce qui peut j'aidez-vous avec?"
There was a pause, and then the man continued in faltering French. "Oui. Je dois parler avec Olivia Benson?"
"C'est elle. Est-ce que je peux demander qui appelle ?" Olivia smirked at the astonished looks she was receiving from the other three. She knew she would have to explain later.
"C'est, uh, George." The voice was faltering even more.
Olivia finally burst out laughing. "George, oui ? Bien, George, informent svp John et Fin que vous êtes terrible avec votre Français." With that, she clicked the speaker phone button off, thus ending the conversation.
She turned away from the phone but didn't meet any of the questioning pairs of eyes. "So, who's up for ghost stories?"
"How about you tell us where the hell you learned French?" Casey's eyebrows were up to her hairline.
"Yeah." Melinda and Dani said in unison.
Liv sighed. "Okay. It's simple, actually. I took some classes in high school and college. When I was put undercover for the 'tree huggers' case in Oregon, as Elliot called it once, one of the girls there spoke French. When I heard her speaking, it brought back what I knew, and then she taught me more. So I'm quite fluent now."
They just stared at her. "Well, you learn something new everyday about people." Dani said finally.
"Enough about me." Olivia said firmly. "Its sleepover time!"
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"French, Don?" Munch was astonished. "You speak French?"
"Only a little, but I was sure that Olivia didn't know French, so I thought that I could get her back with that. Apparently, I was wrong."
"Enough with the prank calls, I think." Fin said slowly. "I'm starting to get a headache anyway."
"You guys can crash here. The guest room is open and so is the couch." Don announced. "No one can go in my room!"
The two drunken men and one relieved, sober Captain all climbed into their individual beds to sleep, hoping that their hangovers, and in Don's case the dealing of the hangovers, wouldn't be too great.
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The girls had stayed up for three hours after the French episode with Don. Halfway through Runaway Bride though, they all fell asleep where they were sitting. The next morning, Dani was the first to wake up. She just stayed curled up in the chair she had slept in and slowly fell deep into thought. What is happening? First, I'm obsessed over Elliot so much that I hate Olivia when she returns. Now that Elliot is gone, not only do I see that it never would've worked between us, but Olivia Benson and I are becoming friends. And even though I know now that he's still alive, I feel nothing for him other than friendship. A soft smile crossed her face. Fin. He's such a sweet man. He acts all rough and tough, but really, he's just a big softy. But no letting anyone know that! We can't destroy his precious reputation!
Unbeknownst to her, curled up on the couch, Olivia was deep in her own thoughts. El, what's going on? I almost feel guilty that Dani and I are getting along so well. I mean, c'mon! She tried to replace me as your best friend and partner! She blinked back tears. But she didn't, did she? No, we were still the best of friends. And El, when you come back, I'm going to kill you for doing this to me, for putting me through the hell of missing you and tormenting myself over what I should've done. And when I'm done killing you, I am going to love you so much that you will never leave again!
Casey stretched and groaned. "Is it time to get up yet?"
"No." Melinda grunted from her place on the floor.
"Actually, girls, it is time to get up." Olivia stood from her place on the couch. "I'll make coffee, and then we all must get ready for today."
Groans abundant, the girls all slowly pulled themselves from the couch, floor, and chair.
"I start the preliminary hearing today for Jose." Casey stated over coffee.
Dani and Olivia nodded. "Good. Let us know if we need to be there." Dani took a long sip of the sweetened coffee.
"Well, I gotta run. I have a huge itinerary for today." Melinda stated, placing her empty cup in the sink. "Thank you, Olivia. This was the most fun that I have had in a long time. Dead bodies don't party too well!"
They all laughed. "I'm going to head out as well." Casey said. "I need to prepare for the hearing. Thank you again, Olivia!" The door closed behind the two, leaving Dani and Olivia sitting on the stools in the kitchen. An uncomfortable silence filled the room.
Dani broke the silence first. "Olivia, I want to apologize."
She looked up in shock. "For what, Dani?"
"For trying to take Elliot." She looked down at her hands. "I realize now that he just isn't right for me." She met Olivia's astonished gaze. "He never stopped talking about you."
Olivia reached out and placed a hand on Dani's arm. "And I also must apologize. I would've come back sooner if not for you. If I hadn't seen you and El together at the precinct that day you first saw me, I would've asked for my job back. When I saw the two of you, I felt replaced. And I hated you for replacing me."
The two girls smiled. "All is forgiven then, right?" Dani asked.
"All is forgiven. Besides, you don't need my Elliot. You have Fin!" Olivia teased.
"Liv!" Dani threw her napkin at Olivia. "Sorry, Olivia. Forgot."
"Dani." Olivia's tone brought Dani's eyes to her face. "You can call me Liv. I let my friends call me Liv."
"Thanks, Liv."
This time, the silence that fell was a comfortable one. Olivia started thinking about the day. I should go see Lizzy again.
After watching enjoying the silence for a bit, Dani set her cup down. "Well, I'm going to go prepare for the day and go over the evidence again. I'll call you if you're needed." She gave Olivia a knowing glance. "Go see Lizzy, Liv."
After the Dani left her apartment, Olivia decided that she would indeed go see Lizzy, this time off record.
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Liv opened the door and peaked in to make sure Lizzy was up. "Hey baby girl, how are you?"
"Hi Mom!" Lizzy sat up, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "They won't let me out of bed yet. I wanted to get up and walk around, but the doctor said that I had to wait until my wounds healed." She paused. "Liv, why can't I feel my legs?"
Olivia frowned. "I don't know, honey. Maybe the medication you are on does that."
"Yeah, I guess so. So how are things down at the precinct?"
Olivia grinned. "Well, the preliminary hearing for your case is today."
Lizzy beamed. "Good! Casey is an amazing prosecutor. She'll win the case."
Olivia laughed. "You sound more and more like your dad everyday."
A sad smile crossed Lizzy's face. "I wish he were here, Mom. I wish that you two had gotten married. I wish…"
Liv placed a finger on Lizzy's lips. "Shhh, baby girl. Wishing for what can't happen won't make you any happier." She wished that she could tell Elliot's daughter that her father was still alive, but knew that that idea was a really bad one. She reached out and gathered the girl into her arms. "Oh, Lizzy."
"I miss Dad, Liv!" She began to sob.
Liv made soothing circles on Liz's back, comforting her. "Shhh, it's going to be okay. We will get through this." 10 minutes went by before Lizzy stopped crying. A knock at the door drew both pairs of eyes to it.
"Detective Benson." It was Lizzy's doctor. "Might I have a word with you?"
Olivia nodded. "I'll be back, Liz." She followed the doctor out of the room.
He closed the door and sighed. "We have come across some complications with Miss Stabler. The guy who did this to her stabbed her in the back, as you know. It turns out that the knife severed her spinal cord. Detective, she is paralyzed from the waist down. We don't know if she is going to regain the use of her legs."
Olivia's hand went to her mouth to shut out the cry that threatened to escape. She looked through the tinted window to the girl who had shut her eyes to rest a bit. Oh, Lizzy. I wish your father could be here with you. She smiled a sad smile at the doctor who was looking at her concernedly. "I'll be fine. If you want, I'll break the news to her."
The doctor nodded his consent. "If you need me, I'll be right down the hall." He watched as Olivia slowly walked back into the room.
Liv sat down beside Lizzy's bed, the occupant now asleep. She reached out and smoothed back the rumpled hair of the girl she loved as much as Elliot had. Oh, El. We need you here so badly. A noise at the door alerted her to another's presence.
Maureen stood at the door. "Hey, Liv." She whispered, not wanting to wake her little sister up. "I brought the family." She led Dickie and Kathleen into the room quietly.
Olivia stood and gave Elliot's oldest a warm hug. "Hello, Maureen." She repeated this with Dickie and Kathleen. "Kath, you are looking more and more like your mother." She whispered.
Kathleen just grimaced. "I know. I wish I looked like you." She grinned. "At least I have more your personality."
Liv let out a soft laugh. "That you do, dear Kathleen." She motioned for them to have a seat on the small couch sitting along the wall of the hospital room where they sat in absolute silence. Liv stood beside the couch, watching Lizzy sleep.
Maureen was the first to break the silence. "Hey, little sis." Her whispering voice cracked with emotion. "I know you want to see us, so we're going to stay here until you wake up."
"I'm awake, Maur." Lizzy didn't open her eyes but reached out towards her sister's voice. Maureen rushed to take her hand. "Mom, what the doctor have to say?" Olivia ignored the astonished look that crossed the three other Stabler's and gently picked up her other hand. When she didn't answer for a bit, Lizzy sat up and opened her eyes. "Liv?"
Olivia looked Lizzy in the eyes and a tear escaped. "Lizzy, the doctor said that the knife severed part of your spinal cord."
"I won't walk again, will I, Mom?" Lizzy broke in with a whisper, tears filling her eyes.
Olivia closed her eyes to hold back the flood of tears. Her voice choking with emotion, she managed to say one word. "No."
"Oh Liv." Lizzy broke down completely. Maureen, Kathleen, and Dickie all crowded around Lizzy and embraced her.
Olivia stood back a little ways to give them privacy. For the first time since she started dating Elliot, she felt out of place with the Stabler kids. But the feeling didn't last long when she found Maureen beside her. "C'mon Mom." She stressed mom with a smile. "Let's go talk."
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AN: There…its longer since I screwed up last time:D
Translations:
Ce qui peut j'aidez-vous avec What can I you help with
Oui. Je dois parler avec Olivia Benson Yes. I must speak with Olivia Benson
C'est elle. Est-ce que je peux demander qui appelle This is she. May I ask who calling
C'est, uh, George This is, uh, George.
George, oui ? Bien, George, informent svp John et l'aileron que vous êtes terrible avec votre Français George, yes? Well, George, please inform John and Fin that you are terrible with your French.