Okay, I wrote this one about a month or two ago... The songs are Daryl Worrley's I Miss My Friend and Tim McGraw's My Best Friend.
This story was hard for me to write because it focuses on the death and aftermath of one of my favorite detectives. But, by the end, I think readers will be happy.
Thanks go to my readers and reviewers, onetreefan, paige, futuremrsstabler, Marish06, Geminibubbles and Gabbyabby. And very special thanks go to my ducklings Mansi and Jordan, and of course KaydenceRei. I want my left shoe back!!
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, but they sure are fun to play with!!
This is a songfic based on the song I Miss My Friend by Daryl Worrley. I also used another song My Best Friend by Tim McGraw.
Elliot Stabler awoke to the sound of his daughter's laughter over her baby monitor. Extending his arm across the empty bed, he sighed and climbed out of the bed, making his way to his daughter's nursery.
"Hi, Sammy," he cooed, standing over his daughter's bed. At the sight of him, Sam let out an excited squeal and raised her arms toward Elliot.
"Hi, baby girl," he said, lifting her out of the crib and into his arms. Setting her on the changing table, he quickly changed her diaper. After he was done, he looked down at her and smiled. She looked back up at him with soft brown eye's, just like her mother's.
Shaking his head, he lifted her back into his arms and said, "You ready to go see Rissa?" She looked at him blankly, and he laughed and said, "I'll take that as a yes." After feeding and clothing Sam, he bundled her up and dropped her off at the babysitter's before heading to work.
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
That night, Elliot trudged into his apartment, grabbed a bottle of beer out of the fridge, and plopped down on the couch. The babysitter wouldn't be bringing Sam home for a couple of more hours, and he was going to make the most of them. Plucking the remote control off of the coffee table, he hit PLAY and took a swig of his beer. A few seconds later, the apartment filled with familiar voices.
(on TV.)
Fin's voice: "Ha, Munch! I told ya! Pay up!"
Munch's voice: (grumbles) "It's about time, you guys!"
(camera closes in on Elliot and Olivia kissing)
Elliot's voice: "Hey! What are you guys doing?"
Alex's voice from behind camera: "Having fun!"
They had filmed that a week after Elliot and Olivia had started dating. Two months later, they had moved in together. Cragen had looked the other way, saying, "As long as it doesn't affect your work. I don't want to split up my best detectives." And it hadn't. In fact, they were better than ever.
Elliot let out a sigh and said, "I miss you so much, Liv. I miss you so much."
I miss the look of surrender in your eyes
The way your soft brown hair falls
And I miss the power of your kiss when we make love
Oh, but baby most of all, I miss my friend
The next part of the video was their wedding. Elliot watched as they danced their first dance as husband and wife. If he closed his eyes, he could still hear her singing, still remember how it felt to hold her against him, never wanting to let her go. As his eyes welled up with tears, he recalled what she had said to him. The song had been a surprise, a gift to him.
2 years ago...
"Come on, El. I got a surprise for you," Olivia said excitedly, grabbing his hand and leading him to the middle of the dance floor. He watched curiously as Cragen stepped forward and handed Olivia a wireless mike, giving her a kiss on the cheek before returning to his place in the crowd.
"Olivia would like to perform a song for her new husband," the DJ announced. As a green spotlight appeared on them, the first notes of a song played, and Elliot looked at her in amazement. She winked at him as she lifted the mike to her mouth and began to sing.
I never had no one I could count on
I'd been let down so many times
I was tired of hurtin', so tired of searchin'
Till you walked into my life
And it was a feeling I'd never known
And for the first time, I didn't feel alone
She wrapped her free arm around his neck, holding him close as she continued to sing.
You're more than a lover, there can never be another
To make me feel the way you do
And oh, we just get closer, I fall in love all over
Every time I look at you
I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
Wrapping one arm around her waist, he slid the mike out of her hand and, watching as tears filled her eyes, he began to sing.
You stand by me, you believe in me
Like nobody ever has
When my world goes crazy, you're right there to save me
You make me see how much I have
And I still tremble when we touch
And oh, the look in your eyes when we make love
You're more than a lover, there can never be another
To make me feel the way you do
And oh, we just get closer, I fall in love all over
Every time I look at you
And I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
As the music began to crescendo, Olivia wrapped her hand around Elliot's, and they both began to sing.
You're more than a lover, there can never be another
To make me feel the way you do
And oh, we just get closer, I fall in love all over
Every time I look at you
I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
You're my best friend
You're my best friend
As the song finished, Olivia held the mike up to her mouth and said, "Elliot Stabler, you're my best friend, and I'm proud to be your partner and your wife. I love you, El."
Present...
Pressing PAUSE on the remote, Elliot studied her face. As he did, tears slipped silently down his cheeks.
The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with
The one who knew just what to say
To make me laugh again
Let the light back in
I miss my friend
Not six months after they were married, Olivia was pregnant. Elliot had loved every minute of it, from the mood swings to the ridiculous midnight cravings. And after Sam was born, he felt that his life was perfect. But just two months later, it had all come tumbling down.
6 months ago...
Two months after Sam was born, Elliot and Olivia took her down to the precinct for the first time. Stepping into the bullpen, they were immediately mobbed. Everyone wanted to see her. Lifting her out of the carrier, Olivia handed Sam to Munch, saying, "Here, Sammy. This is Uncle Munch. When you get older, you'll probably be babysitting him a lot."
Everyone laughed, and Munch tried unsuccessfully to look angry.
"Don't listen to them, honey. As soon as you're old enough, I'll tell you how the world really works," Munch assured her.
"Munch, don't you dare corrupt my niece," Fin growled good naturedly, lifting the baby into his arms. "Hi, baby girl. I'm your uncle Fin, and I promise I'll try to keep Uncle Munchie from yapping about black helicopters, yes I will," he cooed at the tiny pink bundle in his arms.
Olivia and Elliot smiled as Cragen stepped forward, his arms extended. "Okay, my turn," he said, smiling as Fin carefully placed Sam in his arms. "Hi, beautiful," he cooed. "I'm your Grandpa Don, and I'll always have candy for you." He looked up at Elliot and Olivia, saying, "Olivia, she looks just like you."
"Thank God," Munch added, peering over the top of his sunglasses at Elliot.
"Watch what you say, Munch. We get to decide what this kid calls you," Elliot warned, looping his arm around Olivia's waist.
Several hours later, Elliot and Olivia walked out of the precinct. Elliot placed Sam in the car, then made his way to the driver's side. But before he could open the door, shots rang out, followed by squealing tires. Ignoring every procedure he had ever been taught, he raced to Olivia's side of the car.
"No! Olivia!" he screamed, falling to his knees beside her. She was lying on the ground, clutching at a bloody hole in her shoulder.
"No! Olivia, hold on, baby. Hold on," he whispered, gently lifting her into his arms. Pushing her hand away, he pressed his hand against the wound. Her eyes were closed, and her face was deathly pale.
"Olivia? Liv, come on. Open your eyes, baby. Open your eyes," he begged, pressing harder against the wound.
Slowly her eyes fluttered open, and she whispered, "Sam? Where's Sam?"
"She's okay, Liv. She's fine," he assured her, kissing her forehead.
"Love... love you, Elliot," she mumbled, touching his face.
"Love you, too, Liv," he said, choking back a sob.
Her breathing became short gasps, and he cried out again.
"Liv, come on, honey. You gotta stay with me. Just hold on. Help's coming," he assured her, desperately fighting back tears.
He heard sirens in the distance and the voices of their coworkers behind them.
"Come on, baby," he whispered again, watching in horror as her eyelids fluttered closed. "Hold on..."
Elliot fingered the ring on the chain hanging from his neck. His memories after they took Olivia away in the ambulance had been blurry. He remembered arriving at the hospital and waiting for hours with Cragen, Munch and Fin. He remembered the doctor in bloody scrubs coming out of the OR, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Being told that they had done everything that they could, that she had lost too much blood. He remembered Cragen taking him home, putting Sam to bed, and crying into the night. And now, six months later, it still hurt.
I miss the colors that you brought into my life
Your golden smile, those deep brown eyes
And I miss your gentle voice in lonely times like now
Sayin' it'll be all right, I miss my friend
A knock at the door broke the silence, and he quickly stood up and opened the front door. "Hi, Rissa," he greeted the young woman standing in the doorway.
"Hi, Mr. Stabler," she smiled, handing Sam's carseat and diaperbag to Elliot.
"Thanks, Rissa. See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Mr. Stabler," she said, walking away.
Closing the door, he lifted Sam out of her carrier and cradled her in his arms. "You look just like your mom, Sammy girl," he whispered as he quickly walked into the nursery. Carefully placing her in the crib, he rubbed his eyes, then walked to the window. "It's so hard, Liv. I miss you so much," he whispered, staring into the starry night sky.
The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with
The one who knew just what to say
To make me laugh again
Let the light back in
I miss my friend
Sighing, he slipped back out of the nursery and into the living room. As he approached the couch, a glint on the wall caught his eye. Coming closer, Elliot reached out a shaking hand and pulled a picture frame off of the wall. It was a familiar picture that had adorned his wall for several years. When it was taken, he and Olivia had been goofing around, and she had thrown her arms around his neck. It had caught him by surprise, and unknown to them, Munch had taken a picture of the moment. Even though he ahd pretended to be mad at Munch, he wasn't. In fact, it was his favorite picture of them together.
Exhaling, he reverantly touched the picture before hanging it back up on the wall, then slowly made his way back to his bedroom. Falling on the bed, he closed his eyes and fell asleep almost immediately.
Unknown to him, someone stood outside of his apartment.
I miss those times, I miss those nights
I even miss our silly fights
The making up, the morning talks
And those late afternoon walks
I miss my friend
Elliot awoke from his fitful sleep with a start. Stretching his arms, he bit back a gasp when his hand connected with something warm and soft.
When he tried to sit up, he realized that there was something heavy on his chest, pinning him against the bed. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Elliot cautiously slipped his hand out and turned on the lamp beside his bed.
As his eyes adjusted to the soft light, he raised his head slowly and focused on the object resting on his chest. Raising his hand to his chest, he reached for the object, and was surprised to feel hair in his hand.
The person stirred and raised their head, and Elliot cried out in surprise.
The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with
The one who knew just what to say
To make me laugh again
Let the light back in
I miss my friend
"Olivia?" he whispered, extending his hand to cautiously cup her cheek. "Is it really you?"
"Yeah, Elliot. It's me."
As soon as he heard her voice, he snatched her up in his arms, locking her against his trembling body.
"Oh, God, oh God," he murmured into her hair.
"I missed you so much, El," she whispered, snaking her arms around his neck and pressing her forehead to his, staring into his cerulean eyes.
"I missed you, too, Liv," he said, gently pressing his lips against hers.
"I can't believe I'm finally back home with you. I hated leaving you like that."
"They put you in Witness Protection." It was more of a statement than a question.
"Yeah. I'm so sorry for leaving you and Sam like that. I never would've, except they said that if I didn't, you and Sam might've gotten hurt. I'm so sorry," she said softly.
A tear rolled down her cheek, and he tenderly wiped it away with his thumb, kissing her forehead.
"There's nothing to be sorry for, Liv. You did what you had to. I'm just so glad you're back and safe," he assured her, framing her face with his calloused hands. Their lips met again tenderly, and she pulled him closer to her. But their kiss was interrupted when a squeal erupted from Sam's baby monitor.
Smiling, Olivia pulled away and kissed his forehead, saying, "Do you know how much I missed that sound?"
Elliot stood up and took Olivia's hand, pulling her off of the bed as he said, "I wasn't the only one who missed you."
Hand in hand, they made their way to Sam's nursery.
As they walked into the room, Sam rolled over onto her stomach and let out an excited squeal. Olivia released Elliot's hand and stepped forward. With a nervous sigh, she leaned over Sam's crib and scooped Sam up in her arms.
As she held her, Elliot came up behind Olivia, wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck with his face.
"Why don't we take Sam and go back to bed?" he suggested, kissing her neck.
"Okay," she agreed.
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
Back in the bedroom, Elliot lay on his back with Sam asleep on his chest. Olivia's face was buried in his neck, her arm around his waist, and his arm was around her, holding her tightly against his side.
"I missed you, El," she mumbled drowsily, kissing his neck.
"Missed you, too, Liv," he whispered, kissing her hair.
"I finally have both of my girls with me, and I'm never letting either of you go again," he murmured.
"Love you, Elliot."
"Love you too, Liv. Love you too."
They both drifted into a contented sleep, comforted by the other's presence. And the morning came to find the three still asleep, a family again.
I miss my friend
I miss my friend
A/N: There you go!! I know it was totally OOC and sappy, but what can I say? I'm a sucker for romance...