Disclaimer: I don't own them, but I would love to borrow Benson and Stabler…

Chapter:25

Title: Broken & Torn

Summary: Detectives Benson and Stabler are known for their compatibility and performance as partners in the Unit for Special Victims more thoroughly known as SVU. While a partnership like theirs would usually result in one bad mishap; the two seem to have their feelings under-control. While everyone can clearly see they have deep feelings of un-confessed love for each other; they themselves are both oblivious to said fact. How hard is it to suppress such emotions when they are together? Just how trying are their lives as partners? What happens when the two are put through severe trials in order to test their loyalty, trust, devotion, honor, and their love? Just how far will the other go in order to protect their secretly beloved? The Gravity of their Love is defined in the most unique way.

A/N: Oh my snoogileeoodles, look whose updating! I miss updating every other day; pretty sure you guys miss that too. If there is anyone whom is still interested in this story… Wouldn't be surprised if I get one review after this chapter… Hope not; hope to get at least 20. Leave that up to you guys ;)

Alright. So… We got some EO in Wildlife. Yep. Hooray for that. Needless to say my fantasy was tickled. Persona, great episode. PTSD… Where the bloody hell was Elliot? He's NEVER around!

Oh and once again, Kurt Moss is a douche bag, and Harris is a shadoobie on a stick, with a ugly mole on his baa-cock. And once again, EW.

Kathy can burn in hell.

Greylick or whatever the fuck her name is can jump off the roof. Better yet, Casey can push her off. I'll even help.

AND, Dani can marry Porter and live happily ever after with ugly babies. (Poor things are doomed. They'd probably be cursing themselves like "Fuuuck why'd it have to be this broad and sperm donor.")

Put some ice on those ones biatches. (Talking to those characters mentioned with the insults)

I made a new EO video. Mwahaha. Called, Black Roses Red. Yes. That song is amazing. I was listening to it a few weeks ago right, and it hit me. I was all "Holy Starbucks coffee EO!"

Yeah, it didn't make sense to me either; but the song fits. Sooooo, youtube dot com slash metalchickcrisis2040

Go if ya want, EOness for all :)

I recently saw the movie Wanted… yeah… You know, the F BOMB was dropped at least a hundred times in that movie. Every time I tuned into what they were saying it was "Fuck you" "Fuck this" Fuck that" Fuck fuck fuck. Fuckity Fuck. OKAY! Too much F Bombing for one movie. It may sound cool the first few times but not with every sentence after every word. It's like, don't you get tired of repeating it? It's like "I just said it ten damn times, how many more do I have to say it?! I DON'T KNOW!!! Fuck."

Don't ever let anyone tell you cats are peaceful creatures. Fuck that. Those little bastards are insane, okay. Who ever made up that theory needs to come to my place, because I've suddenly become cat woman. Where's Marvel when you need a contract?

And please whomever is sending me harsh emails saying "You bitch you need to update or I will have everyone hating you" and the not-so-nice "screw you, your writing sucks" please keep such vulgar comments to yourself. I don't care if you don't like me or the way I write; but this is fanfiction, if my shit bothers you that much, just don't read it. Okay?

Enough of my rambling. I'll ramble more in the next A/N, though who the hell knows when I will update again? I will try to update sooner; but apparently my brain doesn't want to work for me. So, without further ado; enjoy the next installment of GOL. Please be so kind as to leave me a few lines before closing out. It takes time and thought to write fanfics, the least you can do is leave some feedback. One word or not; something is always nice. Makes this author happy! Thank you to those who have been patient. I apologize for not having my shit together. Bash me in a review ;)

This update goes to Chels!! The impatient EO shipper gal-pal of mine. I made you wait sooo long, I know. I'm efing cruel for it; and you weren't being supportive when you told me to UPDATE NOW GRRRR. Kidding; you know I love you! EO forever! ;) Look you even got "bolded" for emphasis.

Read. +Review+ Enjoy!

Cragen sighed as he sat back in what was left of his office at the one six. The building had been cleared; though everyone had been forewarned to not wander inside. Having persuaded the men to let him through only on regards to his personal items from his office. The many pictures he once had on the walls were gone. And his private stash of vodka and liquor had been smashed; long since evaporated into the air, or dried to the now musty and dirt-ash floor. The reality was all to real. His home had been turned into a pile of rubble. Into just a memory.

"We'll work on rebuilding the unit, though I doubt it will be finished any time soon. The sooner you find the guy who did this, the sooner everything can be put to rest Captain." The fire chief stated, standing a few feet away from Cragen, who merely nodded in response. Clearly he wanted to be left alone. The chief stood a few moments longer, holding his hat in his hands. In his line of work he had seen many lose everything they had. He'd seen loved ones mourn over those lost; houses burned to the ground with everything inside and the only thing left to remind everyone that a once happy family had lived there were the burned teddy bears scourged into the ground, into the ash. Cragen glanced up to see the man still standing there, and he inhaled a long breath before standing himself.

"First things first; we talk to the one he was after."

Nodding, the fire chief stepped out of the way as the two walked side by side towards the stairwell, which surprisingly had little to no damage.

"You think he was aiming to kill Detective Benson?"

"I think he was aiming to take out her heart." Shuffling through the ash, Cragen cringed at the bright sunlight. "He knew this place was the only place Olivia held with importance. Though, I gotta admit; I didn't think the bastard would strike a building full of law enforcement. He just picked the wrong unit to screw with."

"Yeah." Breaking off from the captain to associate with the bomb squad; the chief nodded off Cragen whom was digging through his pocket to retrieve his ringing cell.

"Cragen." He answered, narrowing his eyes as he gazed up at literally nothing.

"Cap'n, we got somethin down near the park." Fin announced. "Early mornin' joggers said a man ran here haulin some ass around the time the bomb went off. Said he was packin a large black bag with wires hangin from the bottom. I don't know bout you, but it sure as hell don't sound like he was late ta class to me."

"Get all the information you can and get back to me."

"Alright Cap. You heard anythin from El bout how baby girls doin?"

"Nothing yet; but don't you worry. Shes a strong girl, she'll pull through.

"Of course she'll pull through. Liv ain't the type to just roll over." The statement ended with the dial tone, leaving both men with their hope. Elliot was with her; of course she'd be fine.

Elliot was in turmoil. His eyes were red and sore; closing them felt like someone pouring salt into his pupils, they were so dry. Lack of sleep had him barely on his feet and so he chose to sit. Beside her. Hand over hers, rubbing the smooth skin as he never took his gaze off of soundlessly sleeping figure. She was nothing short of a Goddess and more of an angel than ever. She had a strange glow to her; it was beautiful. Kathy had had that same glow. When she was pregnant. Smiling slightly; Elliot lifted Olivia's hand to his lips, placing a subtle kiss on the back of her hand. He couldn't even begin to think of how happy she would be to find out she were with a child. Hell, he couldn't even think of how happy he'd be. He had five of his own yet he whole heartedly welcomed another. With Olivia. He'd wanted for years to help her with her dream. Whether it be being a donor, or doing it his way. Doing it the way he never failed at. To make love to her.

He could remember their first year as partners.

The first time he had ever felt something so powerful for anyone. The first time he had been impressed by a woman. The first time he felt like he had an equal; a partner. It was a year of many firsts for him. A year that sparked a decade of something so indescribable, no one could even understand the unspoken bond they had.

He couldn't even explain it. They could look into each other's eyes and say more things than words could ever express verbally. They could go out into the field and know they would each be covered; because they had each other's backs. Elliot could leave for a case and know that we he came back, she would be there waiting. 'With that smile of yours…'

She always waited for him.

For ten long years, she'd waited.

And he had pushed her away countless times. Every time he went to her; in order to give her comfort, she'd be damned if he didn't leave not but minutes later. Kathy had always suspected something going on between them; often accusing Elliot for coming home late when she knew that work was his excuse. Or so she called it. Truth was; Olivia was his work. She was apart of it, and she had become a bigger part of his life than he had realized. It was truly amazing. How close they'd become. It was something Elliot never expected. He was sure Olivia never saw it coming either. They went from complete strangers to partners in days. Elliot had never been able to trust someone as much as he trusted Olivia. Hell; no one last long with him. Cragen had put him with countless partners. Men. Women. He even tried pairing him with the regulars; Fin and Munch. But no one did him justice. No one was able to provide the same stature, the same wit. No one could put up with his attitude, nor his leading man role. Until the leading lady came along. Olivia was a angel in disguise; she lasted him out for the first week without a problem. She matched him; beat him out of a lot of things. For once he felt like he'd met his match; his equal. His other half. And that's exactly what he needed. Though; he knew it was a bad idea from the start. Putting a woman as his partner. A woman such as Olivia Benson. IAB and the Bureau were basically asking for them to get together in the end. How could they not see what they had? Giving him such a pure-hearted, beautiful, strong and intelligent woman as a partner. Someone who he was supposed to spend hours; sometimes days with.

The heart monitor jumped and Elliots thoughts dropped as he turned his head towards the screen. Her eye lid's flickered slightly; though the nurse looking through the glass only shook her head to him. With a defeated sigh, he leaned forward and rested his head on the edge of her mid-drift. Even with the hospital gown, she smelled like herself. Like the Olivia he'd fallen in love with.

Many times had he taken pleasure in smelling her. As sick as it sounded, he found he knew why a lot of men smelled women's clothing. Her smell was intoxicating. It was distinctly her. A trade-mark of sorts. She rarely used perfumes; using only her hair-wash and bathing soap to give her a unique essence. He knew she washed in vanilla; but it came off of her in exotic waves mixed with her natural smell of cherry blossoms. He remembered several occasions when he had asked what perfume she were wearing; a specific time coming to mind.

It had been two whole years ago. When she came back from her infiltration; he noticed it. A smile crept upon his tired features as he began to recall the entire incident.

The dawn had just broke and he was delighted to see his partner walking into the SVU; her now long hair swaying slightly against her shoulders as she removed her coat and made herself cozy in the seat across from him. The smile on his face, he'd never forget, made him in turn smile. He was happy; happy to have her back. To have his partner back. It hadn't been the same, without her. He was lost, confused. Didn't know whose lead to follow now; didn't know how to depend on another the way he depended on her. Elliot had now realized he'd been staring at her without noticing himself as the pen fell from his fingers and she looked up with a bright smile.

"What?" She'd asked, a bit of humor to her voice as the chuckled question rolled so sweetly from her lips. Trying to compose himself as best he could, Elliot cleared his throat and put on his 'tough-guy' look. All for good measures. Though, Olivia knew by the faint red in his cheeks that she'd caught him admiring her.

"Nothin. Its…" He trailed, looking up again, shrugging. "…good to have you back is all."

"Its good to be back." She breathed with her flowing accent. An accent Elliot couldn't quite place. It gave a sexy edge to her voice. Making her an acquired taste indeed. The captain had come in not too long after and requested they go on a stake-out. Mission at hand; follow the pervert, watch and wait. Not an uncommon case. Though, the location requested was rather…compromising. Not only had they been requested to dress inappropriately, Olivia had been asked to act as a stripper at the city's finest strip joint. Their target sat several seats away. Elliot was uncomfortable about it all; seeing his partner in damn-near nothing while having to actually put his hands on her rather than keep them off. Olivia had always been trying to be the good one; trying to keep her hands off of him only to have him put his on hers. It was sheer coincidence they landed this case after one of their most sexually trying reunions. When she'd first returned, Elliot couldn't believe how fuller she had gotten. How much more enticing she looked in jeans. She was toned; and her figure was a solid ten out of ten. And now he was being asked to sit and enjoy the 'show', meaning to watch their perp get a hard on. But, Elliot found himself getting more and more into what his partner was doing rather than the target. When she had sauntered over to him in a crawl with that look in her eyes; the look as though he was her prey and she was going to feast upon him made his own get-up stiffen. Hell, he'd even been able to drown out the voices of the other detectives in the micro-phone in his ear. The moment Olivia started giving him a lap dance was the moment he'd officially lost control. He'd pretended to be spying on the target when his head involuntarily dropped to her shoulder. It was then her intoxicating scent really registered with his senses.

"What is that?" She hadn't known what he meant, and leaned back from her administrations to give him a look while stretching her arm over her head to move her hips in a belly-dancing motion. She narrowed her brown eyes and leaned in close once again.

"Whats what?" Her voice was husky; whether she noticed it or not, he didn't know. Biting his lower lip, he had to think fast. But at the moment, he couldn't really make up anything. His thought train was completely thrown off.

"You smell good." He stated simply as he glared over at their target, keeping tabs every now and then before enjoying his partner once more. "What perfume are you wearing?"

"I don't wear perfume El, you know that." She smirked slightly as she pressed against him slightly, making him clench his jaw as he leaned his head back. He remembered seeing an odd look in her eyes, and he remembered wanting to know what she were thinking.

"You smell like it all the time, though." He managed to get out. To anyone it was a good act; even to the onlookers outside. Elliot was sure Cragen would kill him for having a hard-on while on a case. Especially when said woody was for his partner. Olivia was like a daughter to the Captain. He'd been the most concerned next to Elliot whenever something happened. And if she went out in the field on her own and didn't call, he had the entire squad out looking for her. The man would pull any strings for her. "I thought maybe you used some sorta perfume."

"My shampoo is vanilla; but you already knew that." She whispered.

"This is more exotic Liv, like a exotic vanilla mixed with a…" He trailed, voice catching as his hand accidently grasped her strong thigh. He could hear her quite gasp and his eyes sent her an apology; but her eyes threw him for a loop. They had been filled with lust, desire.

"A what?" She inquired, lifting her hips as his hand returned to the side of the chair.

"I don't know. Ever smelled cherry blossom?" He asked, feeling the sweat beginning to precipitate. Her eyes darkened and a low throaty chuckle left her throat. She was acting a lot different than usual.

"You nervous?" It was really more of a statement than a question. She had moved forward slightly. "Relax." She whispered. "Whats our guy doin? Anything illegal yet?" Just as the question had left her mouth she let her body rest down, and she felt the bulge he had. Her eyes went wide with shock and Elliot wore the same surprised expression.

"What the hell are you two doing? Johnson just came out with his Johnson hanging loose and dry; get your asses OUT here now." Cragen's rough and pissed off voice had ripped through their micro-phones, making them both jump.

Back at the one-six, both detectives were alone in the locker rooms; backs to each other as they changed their clothes. Clearly they had respect for the other, no matter how much the other wanted to turn and look…

"Its natural."

At first, he didn't know what she meant or even that she had spoken. He took a minute, turning when he heard her hand hit the door knob.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I don't know why I smell like cherry blossoms; I've never been around them." She smiled lightly and then, was gone. Leaving him with a small smile of his own.

It seemed like just yesterday he had that conversation with her as he inhaled her scent.

Elliot didn't have time to revel in the smooth smell she had; her heart monitor jumped once again and this time, the alert system wailed its alarm for nearly the entire hospital to hear. Standing abrubtly, Elliot grasped her hand tightly as the nurses busted in, shooing him out; feeding him bull-shit lines and all he could do was protest.

"No, no. I have to be with her. She's my partner!" He shouted, feeling the doctors grip his arms "Get away from me!" He yelled once more only to feel a hand on his shoulder and his arms being pulled behind his back. In moments he was out in the bright white hallways, Cragen along with Elliot's children and Synthia were all standing with a look of fear on their faces. There was no way he could compose his-self as he looked back ino the room, seeing how the doctors had began to start CPR on her. Every one shared the same thought.

What the hell just happened?

"Dad… whats going on?" Dicky asked as he took a step forward, watching as his father's eyes clouded over with tears and fear. He shook his head as he glanced to his children, his eyes falling on the poor little Synthia. She looked so care-free in Maureen's arms. She didn't understand what was going on. Hell neither did he. He was assured she would be fine, but then, this happened. Out of nowhere. Feeling his insides crumble, Elliot inhaled a shaky breath as he turned on his heels and set his hand to his head, pacing in a small rectangle.

"Elliot." Cragen stated, walking towards him. He'd seen this side of Elliot. He was heading for a breakdown, heading for an outburst. One he couldn't help. "She'd going to be fine. You gotta pull yourself together!" Gripping his subordinates shoulders, he made an attempt to calm him down. But Elliot shoved him off and rested his hands against the wall.

"This shouldn't be happening! We've been through so much; she's been through too much." He mumbled, falling to his knees as sobs took control over his body. "She.. She never did anything wrong!" He yelled, causing his kids to jump back.

"Dad…" Lizzie mumbled as she took a step. Synthia squirmed out of Maureens arms and walked over to Elliot; her face blank as she wrapped her small arms around his neck.

Elliot stilled.

She was trying to comfort him? Sucking in a tight breath, Elliot looked up and wrapped his shaking arms around the little girl, coming to a sitting position as he closed his eyes. A hug. It was what he needed.

You otay now daddy?" Her little voice made him smile lightly as he pulled back to look into her large blue eyes. "You look sad. How come." Everyone stood back as Elliot pulled the little girl into a hug again. "Where's mommy?" She asked in a muffled voice as she leaned into his embrace. Lizzie felt tears run down her own cheeks as she walked forward and wrapped her arms around her dad from behind; each of his kids doing the same until it was one big hug. Cragen glanced into the room where Olivia lay almost lifelessly on the bed. Her skin so pale, she looked like a different person. The doctor turned his head to him, shaking his head as the flat-line alarm could be heard out in the hallway.

Broken and torn, Elliot squeezed Olivia's niece, their adopted daughter, a million things going through his mind. All of Olivia. He sent out prayers to the man he believed so faithfully in. He couldn't lose another love; couldn't lose Olivia. She was what held him together. What made him whole. She was the yin to his yang; everything he had been searching for. She was his partner. She had to pull through. "God, please…" He whispered softly as he closed his eyes. 'Please…I love her.'

A/N: Obviously a twist hm? I know the italics past case up there wasn't an actual case; I wish it was. I have a story about Olivia, Elliot, and a strip joint coming out. It was actually Sam's idea. I have it damn near finished. Working on it a bit more though, so please, no stealing that idea ;) Leave some feedback loves! What do you think will happen in the next chapter? And when do you think I should end this fic? Let me know!

REVIEW! Please?