Chapter 19

The case wasn't particularly hard, sometimes it seemed the fates threw them a bone, attempted rape by a neighbor where the victim was willing to testify and could readily identify her attacker didn't happen often but when it did the result was always satisfying.

"At least she was able to fight him off long enough to get to the lobby," Elliot was saying. "She kept him from going through with it."

"That'll help," Olivia was agreeing. John watched as her spine stiffened and she looked straight at Stabler, "But she won't ever forget. She's going to wake up in the middle of the night, screaming, for a while remembering his hands on her. And she'll have nightmares of not being able to stop him. Of security not being in the lobby when she got there. The 'what ifs' will haunt her for a while."

Munch exchanged a glance with his partner, and Fin shrugged. John guessed that was Fin's way of saying either Stabler would get it or he wouldn't.

Elliot shrugged, his reply to Liv a bit absentminded, "Well she'll need therapy for the trauma, sure. But she's better off than some of our other victims at least."

John decided he'd better say something before Olivia decided to hit her partner over the head with a blunt object in lieu of a clue as to what had happened to her. "So Liv, are you going to keep me in suspense forever," He offered her a smile.

"Suspense?" Now it was Liv's turn to be clueless.

"Yeah, Fin was talking about picture day but neither of you ever let me know if I've got a niece or a nephew coming," Munch chuckled. He wasn't prepared for Liv to get teary-eyed.

Fin seemed to understand why though, he just grinned at what John knew was his confused face, "She's just feelin' mushy because you called yourself an uncle. Liv already thinks of you as a big brother. Just nice for her to hear you say it," He explained.

Olivia nodded and pulled her phone out with a still teary smile, "The doctor sent me video." She explained and brought it over, bringing the clip up as she did.

John grinned as she leaned over and pressed play, the gentle thumps and wooshing sound of a heartbeat came out of the phone. He tilted his head trying to make sense of the picture and looked at Fin, "That's great…but it doesn't answer my question."

Elliot got this one though; an experienced father knew what a baby's heartbeat sounded like, "Shit. Liv are you kidding?"

Fin was nodded and Olivia was practically giggling while John still felt clueless, "Would anyone like to clue me in?"

"You wanted to know, niece or nephew," Liv smiled, "How do you feel about one of each?"

"Sold," John couldn't remember when he'd been more surprised. "No wonder you were getting dizzy spells. We've gotta remember to feed you more." Elliot was just shaking his head, but at least if his opinion wasn't welcome he kept it behind his teeth. "And you kept this to yourself for the whole case?" John looked at Fin, "How'd you keep from crowing about it?"

"Liv wanted to tell you herself and I promised I wouldn't say anything," Fin couldn't hide his grin now, "Just really glad that we decided on a three bedroom apartment or we'd have trouble in a few years."

"Well we are celebrating," Munch decided. "All of us," He pointed at Elliot, "Even you. Call Kathy and invite her too." He picked up his phone and began to dial aware that his partner and the other two detectives were regarding him in shock. Making a reservation for six at his favorite place wasn't hard on a Wednesday night; it tended to be a slow evening.

"John, I really don't have—"

Olivia began to object but Munch wasn't having it, "You still have that dress from when we put you undercover as an escort in your locker. Wear that. The rest of us are in suits anyway."

"Liv you may as well go get changed," Fin was just chuckling. "It'll be worse than him going on about the black helicopters if you start arguing with him." John was pleased that Olivia took her fiancé's advice and simply sat back down at her desk to finish her paperwork before she got into the dress. The thought occurred to John that he should tell Cragen that the captain was also invited.

John smiled as Fin's hand once again reached for Liv's fingers. His partner, once off the job, couldn't keep his hands off Olivia and she was the same way. They weren't like teenagers, constantly making out, groping each other in public; that was something for which he was sure everyone was thankful. But Fin would sling an arm over the back of Liv's chair, idly playing with the strands of her hair, or Liv would set her hand on Fin's knee, just a gentle squeeze. When they weren't eating, Fin's fingers would trace the back of Olivia's hand or she would lay her palm in his, as if they couldn't stand to not show each other affection. It was a far cry from his new partner of years ago who couldn't stand to be touched.

The music started again, and Munch smiled, the reason he'd chosen this place out of all the places he liked was the music. It didn't play rock or rap or whatever was cool these days, but good music for older patrons who wanted to dance. The singer was beginning on a soulful version of 'If I Didn't Care' when Fin made his move.

"Can't take it anymore Babygirl," Fin stood and gently tugged Olivia up. "Gotta have a dance with you."

"You're just making sure I won't embarrass you at the wedding," Olivia chuckled as Fin led her to the floor.

John watched for a moment, smiling as the two detectives managed a very graceful box step. Fin was holding Olivia like she was precious and Liv was looking at Fin as if he was the only man in the world. When he'd looked his fill Munch turned and regarded Elliot, "That's why I wanted you to come along with us." He told the younger detective who was sitting with his wife. "You don't know him as well as I do."

"But I know Olivia," Stabler objected. "Just because he's acting lovey-dovey tonight—"

"El, stop it," Kathy's voice was quiet but firm. "You haven't had Olivia over for dinner in more than a year. How can you say you know her when it's obviously been a long time since you two have really talked?"

"She's my partner," Elliot said that as if it was the answer for everything.

"Fin's my partner but we still have to talk to each other," John retorted. "Kathy's your wife; don't tell me that you guys don't talk."

"Elliot, just look at Olivia," Kathy insisted. "Have you ever seen her looking so happy? Ever?"

"She looks…" Elliot shook his head. "What if he hurts her?"

"Would you listen to yourself for a minute," Cragen kept his voice low, "Seriously Elliot."

"I know my partner," John agreed. "He's been in love with her for years. He went undercover at Sealview so he could watch her back. You've only seen them at the precinct."

"Elliot, Fin is looking at Olivia the way you look at me," Mrs. Stabler was a very sensible woman. "Do you know how long she's waited for this?"

"Well I knew she was thinking about adopting," Elliot frowned. "But she never said anything else."

"The adoption agency turned her down, a single woman, no 'support system'," John sneered the last two words. "Like we're all chopped liver."

"She never said anything," Stabler looked at his partner and then back at Kathy and the rest of them. "Why wouldn't she tell me that?"

"Did you ever ask?" Cragen tilted his head towards the couple on the dance floor, "Those two are notoriously close-mouthed about their personal lives."

"I've really fucked this up haven't I," Elliot was looking at the two people still dancing as the band segued into another song.

"You just need to ask questions without sounding like you're interviewing a perp," John chuckled. "She was trying to tell you something today, when she was talking about the victim. But you weren't hearing her. You need to listen to her. Olivia knows you've got her back at work Elliot, it's her personal life that she's not sure about."

"Well I haven't done much to correct that impression," The ex-marine admitted. "I'll have to work on it. Not sure I'll ever like Fin though, or think he's good enough for her." He looked at Kathy, "In the meantime, care to dance?"

"I'm going to make you ask Olivia after me," Kathy smiled as she put her hand in his, accepting the invitation. "So long as that's understood."

"As long as I don't have to dance with Fin," Stabler cracked a grin and escorted his wife to the dance floor.

"Well done John," Cragen lifted his club soda in a toast.

John smiled, "I do my best." He lifted his glass to Cragen, "Here's to professionalism, full disclosure and friendships enduring despite all of it."

"I'll drink to that," The captain grinned as he sipped his drink.

Fin looked up from his coffee as Stabler turned his own chair backwards and sat in it to regard the former Ranger, "'Sup Elliot?"

"Figured this was a good time to talk since Liv and John aren't here to run interference," Stabler shrugged.

"So talk," Fin sipped his coffee and set the file he'd been working on in his 'done' pile before grabbing another. "Nothing's stoppin' you."

"All right," The ex-marine seemed to consider Fin for a moment before speaking. "I don't like that you and Olivia are moving in together. I don't like that you got her pregnant out of wedlock. I don't like that you aren't nearly good enough for her. And I really don't like that you've got her keeping secrets from me."

"Well going out of order," Fin shook his head, "I know I'm not good enough for her, but she doesn't seem to care about that. All I can do is my best." He ticked off a finger, "Me and her having a baby, you can take a flying leap on that one because we're both thrilled about it. She's wanted kids for years now. I'm just glad I'm the one she decided could have 'em with her." He ticked off another finger and stared at Elliot coldly, "As for the 'out of wedlock' thing, we're getting married. I screwed up my first marriage, working narcotics and going undercover, I wasn't ever around and that's no way to raise a kid. I'm not going to screw this up with Liv. And moving in together just goes along with the getting married."

"And the secrets? You two have been hiding things for years," Elliot huffed angrily.

"I haven't been hiding dick," Fin rolled his eyes at the other detective. "I just don't talk about personal stuff at work. Really ain't liking this discussion much now either but this is as good as it gets with you and I know it. It was years before I started talking to my partner even and John's one of the nicest guys I know. You're not Elliot. I told you before, you're a good cop but you're a lousy human being and the way you treat Olivia has stuck in my craw for years now."

"The way I treat her?" Stabler's eyebrows shot up though thankfully he kept his voice down. "You've been acting like she's some bimbo in a bar for you to flirt with and pick up ever since I've known you."

"Never tried to hide the fact that I thought she was gorgeous, or that she's a good woman," Fin retorted. "But I didn't ever hit on her, not here and not after work. Didn't think she'd go for it so we got to be friends. And when I could see her getting down on herself after you made one of your asinine remarks I'd flirt with her. Wanted to remind her that the job isn't all she is, that I saw her, saw her and liked her."

"What remarks?" Stabler shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yeah that's obvious," The black detective sighed. "Look man, you don't even know you're doing it. And maybe Liv should have called you on some of your shit. The woman practically opens every conversation with an apology for your behavior. There's the 'SVU isn't a dating service' comment. Or accusing Liv of waiting to be rescued. She's your partner and she's saved your ass more times than I can count but you seem to think she's not pulling her weight half the time from the way you act. Remember that son of a bitch who was killing Arabs? You got in there, played the Irish cop card while the bastard spewed shit about Liv and me. I coulda cared less but Liv was messed up about it 'cause a her dad. You didn't even see if she was all right afterwards, just went on home to your family like Olivia's feelings weren't important."

"So you sleep with her to make her feel better?" The ex-marine rolled his eyes.

"Watch your mouth when you talk about Olivia," Fin kept his voice low and his hands relaxed. If he let his temper get the better of him he'd kill the bigger man. The hardest part was not letting his hands clench into fists. "Whether you like it or not, she and I, we belong to each other now. And the shit you're saying? More insulting to her than it is to me."

"You got a lot of nerve," Stabler wasn't exactly relaxed either Fin noticed. The taller man was tense for all his relaxed pose, it was just that, a pose.

"You know man, I thought when we all went out, and you danced with Liv that maybe you were getting past this," Fin shook his head. "Thought maybe you were starting to see that Liv's happy with me."

"Yeah she is, for now," Stabler shrugged. "But what happens when you screw up? When you piss her off? What happens when she's feeling cornered? Olivia runs when things go wrong. What'll happen when she doesn't have anywhere to run? When you've cut off all her escape routes?"

"You're talking like I don't know the woman," Fin nearly laughed at how stupid the other detective was being. "Like I don't know to give her room. Like she don't know I need time to take off my armor. John's great and the man is my brother, but Liv is my best friend, my family."

"I still don't like it," Elliot shook his head. "I won't say anything else about it, but if you hurt her Fin. No warnings. I'll just hurt you back."

"Same goes," Fin nodded. It wasn't a hard deal to make considering he'd cut off an arm before he'd deliberately hurt Liv.

Author's Note: So I figured John wouldn't have a whole lot of patience for letting Elliot figure out on his own that Fin and Liv had a good thing going. He always struck me as someone who would take you by the shoulders and point you in the right direction at least. I also thought he'd love being considered an honorary uncle.

The little chat Fin and Elliot have seemed like it was needed. Elliot seems to posture a lot on the show, does a lot of chest beating especially when it comes to his partner (though he rarely backs it up by being nice to his partner-moron). So I thought he'd make a point to have a sort of 'dad' talk with Fin. Fin being slightly more mature than Elliot and also not wanting Liv upset declined to tell Elliot to go screw himself. A case of knowing that Elliot's heart is in the right place but as usual his head is totally in the wrong.

Anyway hope you enjoyed it… I'm working on a scene with Liv and Warner… I'm thinking the wedding discussion will happen then. It's not flowing very well so it might take me a couple of days to edit and post the next chapter. I like to get something new written before I edit and post something already done.