Story Note: This is a RE-write of my previous story. I felt like it needed something more. So, I deleted the old version and replaced it with this new and improved chapter.
Apartment of Captain Olivia Benson, Manhattan, New York
Olivia was in her room packing up her suitcase, getting ready for her trip to Austin, Texas. She was chosen by the Chief to attend the 3rd Annual National Police Conference that was happening down there in his place; he figured that she would be a good choice to represent the NYPD and be a good image for the Department.
She was excited because she gets to see her old friend, someone whom she hasn't seen in a long while. Captain Owen Strand of Station-127. The three of them, Elliot, Olivia, and Owen were the best of friends. They all met during a rape case that was related to a series of Arsons, the fire department along with the NYPD Special Victims Unit worked side-by-side to catch and apprehend the one responsible. When the FDNY gave them some information, the SVU detectives; Stabler and Benson acted on them and they caught the guy.
Ever since that day, they were thick as thieves. They would get coffee together on breaks or whenever they have time, discuss their problems with one another without the other knowing. It was the friendship and the bond the three have that made the relations between the Fire Department and the NYPD were in good spirits. If Owen had any information that needed the attention of the NYPD, he calls upon Olivia and Stabler.
But then, Elliot turned in his papers and left the force without so much as a word. Never telling Olivia, or even Owen who had to hear it from Olivia, she confided in him and he comforted her.
He's been there for her ever since, never left her side, he was there to help her overcome her trauma after she was kidnapped and tortured, he was there when she was adopting Noah, and everything in between, she couldn't ask for a better friend and confidant.
She was brought out of her thoughts by a knock sounding at her door, she stopped what she was doing and walked out of her room and towards the door. She opened her door to see her faithful Sergeant, "Fin, come on in." She said, stepping to the side to let him in.
"What brings you here?" She asked to shut the door before making her way back to her room to finish packing knowing that he will follow her. "Here to take you to the airport." he said leaning up against the doorframe. "Heard the Chief is sending you to Texas to the conference." he said as Olivia nodded, "Yeah, he is." she replied, taking a few clothes from her closet and walking back to her bed to resume packing.
"Are you excited to see Strand?" he asked with a smile. Fin knew how close she and Owen were, he was there for her after Elliot abandoned her, it was Owen who picked up the pieces and watched out for her. And for that, the fire Captain has gained his respect,
Olivia sighed and nodded her head, "I am, actually." She replied with a ghost smile, zipping up her suitcase before setting it on the ground beside her bed. .
"Well, give him my best." he said, taking her suitcase while Olivia grabbed her go-bag. "So, where's the little man at? Rollins?" He asked as Olivia nodded her head. "She offered to take Noah for the weekend." She replied walking out of the room with Fin following her.
Fin nodded, "You ready?" He asked. Olivia nodded with a sigh, "Yeah, I think I got everything." She said, walking out her apartment with Fin and closing the door before locking it.
—XxXxX—
Austin, Texas- The Airport
Captain Owen Strand was standing beside his fire department issued car, dressed in his uniform waiting in front of the door, waiting for his best friend to walk out of the door. He was so excited about seeing Olivia that he couldn't sleep. It has been a long time since he's seen Liv.
When she facetimed him a week ago letting him know that she will be here in Austin for some conference, he was ecstatic. He could've told TK, but he wanted it to be a surprise, when he discussed it with Olivia, she agreed. So the plan was, he was gonna pick her up and bring her by the station to surprise Tk and meet his crew. He hated leaving her, even though she gave him her blessings, but after what happened with Elliot, he still couldn't help but feel bad. She was the reason why it was hard leaving New York.
Owen had told his crew, without TK being present, a little bit about Benson, who she is to him and TK, how they met, and that she's an NYPD Captain that is coming down for a conference. To say, they were all a little excited because they saw how his face lit up when talking about her, so they knew that this person was important to their Captain.
Owen Strand was standing beside his Captain's vehicle, dressed in his uniform. He was brought out of his thoughts when the doors swooshed open and he looked up and smiled when he saw who walked out of the building. She hasn't changed a bit, her hair was a little longer than he remembered, and the years on the job took its toll, but all the same. He smiled and approached the Captain, "Oh Liv. How I missed you?" was the first thing he said to her, stopping a few feet away.
Olivia sighed and smiled, "Owen Strand." she replied softly.
–XxXxX–
Owen and Olivia were in his car, making their way back to the station for Olivia to meet the crew of Station-126. "So, how is everyone?" he asked, referring to her squad. Olivia nodded.
"They're good. Everyone is good! Fin is covering for me while I'm down here." She replied with a smile, "Noah, is good as well. He asks about you." She added smiling, causing the Fire Captain to smile. When Olivia had officially adopted Noah was finally hers, she had appointed Owen as Noah's Godfather.
Olivia was trying to figure out how to tell Owen about Elliot's return. She knew that he was angry when he first found out from her that Elliot left. She cleared her throat, "Listen, Owen. There's something you should know." She added, Owen's brows furrowed as he glanced at her, "What is it, Liv?" he asked, concerned about what she was gonna say.
Olivia sighed, "Well...It's Elliot. He's back." She revealed. She can tell the statement threw him off guard as he kinda swerved a little before straightening out.
"What?" He asked in a low tone, looking at her before turning his attention back to the road. "When? How?" he asked her. Because after all these years, with no contact he just comes back into their lives. Her life.
That's when Olivia had told him everything from Elliot's arrival, to setting up Organized Crime, to them trying to get their footing by being in the same city once again. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, "I mean, I'm happy that he's back but he left me Owen." She said, opening her eyes and turning her head to look at him, and he could see the hurt still lingering on her face whenever she mentions it.
She sighed looking down at her joined hands, "He abandoned me without even telling me. No email, no letters, not even a simple text. Instead I had to find out from Cregain" she whispered the last part with a shake of her head, closing her eyes for a few minutes before re-opening them. "I'm angry, yes, but…" she sighed and shrugged her shoulders looking out the side window.
She felt Owen grabbing one of her hands and giving it a squeeze, she looked at their hands, "I'm so sorry Liv. You have every right to be angry with him. I was. I still am." He said softly. He felt sorry for Elliot, for losing his wife. He didn't deserve it. But, that doesn't change the fact that he's still angry with Stabler for leaving Olivia, for leaving him.
The SVU Captain looked down at their joined hands and smiled before looking back at Owen. "Thank You, Owen. I don't know where I would be without you and your friendship." she told him as Owen smiled, "Always Liv, your family. Always and Forever." He told her before seeing the station coming up and releasing her hand.
"Here we are." He told her to pull into the lot/ He heard her let out a small gasp, "Oh Wow, Owen." Olivia whispered in awe as he pulled into the bay and parked before turning off the car. They both got out and Olivia slowly looked around the station with a small smile. "She's beautiful." She commented before closing her door.
Owen nodded with a smile, "I know. I'm very proud. Come on. I want you to meet everyone." he said coming around the front of the car and holding out his arm as Olivia smiled and walked towards him letting him wrap his arm around her shoulders leading her towards the kitchen/common room.
When they both walked in, they gained the attention of everyone in the room, "Everyone, this is my old and dearest friend; Olivia Benson." Owen introduced as they all approached her.
Olivia took a few steps and shook their hands, "It's a pleasure to meet you all. Owen wouldn't stop talking about you guys. I was starting to get kinda jealous." she said looking over her shoulder with a smile at Owen who was chuckling.
Judd gave her a nod, "And it's a pleasure to meet you too, ma'am. Heard a lot of good things." he said, shaking her hand before retracting it.
Olivia nodded, "You too. I…I heard about what happened to your guys when Owen got the offer to rebuild this place. I'm so sorry." She told him as Judd smiled and nodded his head. "Thank You, ma'am. Much appreciated. " He replied as Olivia smiled.
Owen stood off to the side watching as Olivia Greeted and interacted with his crew, shaking their hands, and talking to a few of them. "NO WAY, OLIVIA?" a voice yelled. Everyone turned to see TK wearing the biggest smile, eyes wide, "Oh My God." He said running to her as the Captain laughed and opened her arms as TK crashed into her wrapping their arms around each other. "Oh, TK, look at you." She said pulling away and placing both hands on his face in a motherly manner. "You look good." She added. TK nodded, "I am. But how…When?" He asked his father for an explanation.
Owen smiled, "I got a call from Liv about a week ago, saying she was coming down here and I wanted it to be a surprise. But, actually, Liv is here to attend a conference and she was invited to represent the NYPD." He explained as TK smiled, "That's great!" He said hugging her again. "Man, I missed the hell out of you." he added as Olivia sighed, "Me too. Me too." she whispered before breaking away.
A few minutes later while watching Olivia with his crew, Owen saw TK breaking away from talking with Olivia and Judd making his way over to where his father was.
"I can't believe she's here." He said as Owen sighed and smiled wrapping an arm around him, "Me neither, son. This is gonna be great!" he said, squeezing his shoulder before walking away to show Olivia around the station.
End Of Chapter Note: Here is the new and improved chapter of my story. Enjoy!
