6:02

She never thought she'd say that she was sorry.

In truth, she never thought that she would have been the one to bring him down.

But as she looked out her window, she wished that he would walk up the path a second time, with a second bouquet, and a second silent question.

Olivia had the world within her grasp, just a few short feet away. He'd come to say he was leaving.

Of course, she'd known this for weeks but both had tried to ignore it.

When he arrived, a short time ago, he wanted her to tell him to stay.

"My flight leaves at six," Elliot stood in the entrance.

"I know," she answered blankly.

"That's in four hours." He was pleading to her with his aching heart.

"I know."

He looked like he was on the verge of tears. Trying to find something to fill the silence, he brushed the flowers in her hands.

"Th-These are for you," he mumbled.

Taking them, she asked, "What for?"

"Goodbye." He locked eyes with her.

He should have said he wanted to stay, in her opinion. But if transferring to another unit was the path he wanted to take, she couldn't stand in his way. She wouldn't stand in the way of his happiness.

But she had.

"Elliot – " She began.

"No, Liv, I have to go." He turned and walked back to his car.

She wanted to scream to him, let her heart leak, she wanted him to stay.

Olivia looked at her watch: 5:29pm. A gnawing sensation grew in the pit of her stomach. JFK was just ten minutes away…

She wanted to see him so bad. At least say goodbye.

Six years.

Six bloody years of nothing, of everything. The chemistry was undeniable. She knew what was there. As did he. Neither acted upon it. Both were stupid.

The day he told her she wanted to kiss him.

"Olivia, I'm leaving."

"Oh." He touched her shoulder. She held his hand and wrapped his arms around her waist. They stood in the empty crib for an age, holding hands in an intimate hug.

A tear fell. She couldn't do it.

Olivia Benson ran into the busy airport and up to the reception desk. The clock read 5:52pm.

"What does the flight to Miami leave?" She panted.

"6:02, but you'll never make it," the woman called to Olivia's back as she ran to gate 7.

She arrived at gate 7, to find a closed door.

Disappointment swept over her. She almost dropped to her knees.

"Ma'am?" A stewardess asked her, "Were you meant to be on that flight?" She gestured to the leaving plane.

Olivia thought about it, tears beginning to fall.

"No," she whispered, "I suppose not."

The stewardess walked away, mumbling something about baggage, leaving Olivia to her sorrow.

The hair on the back of her neck rose abruptly and she tensed, ready to face her intruder. An instant later, however, the warm weight of a familiar hand settled gently onto her shoulder and she released the breath she'd been holding through a grateful sigh.
When she finally turned to face him, she was suddenly aware of how close he was been standing. The warmth of his body, inches from hers, made her shiver.
Elliot didn't hesitate. Taking a short step toward her, he gathered her close in his arms and brushed the side of his face along hers. "I couldn't." He drew a breath against her hair.

She looped her arms around his neck and surrendered to the embrace. Olivia drew her fingers along the nape of his neck, tracing the hair she found

Lifting a hand, he drew a fingertip gently across the edge of her cheek.

"I thought I was too late," She tried to smile when Elliot's mouth descended fervently on hers and his tongue stroked eagerly over her lips.

Olivia melted against him, combing her fingers through his hair and deepening the kiss until both of their bodies were plied together so needfully, she wasn't certain she'd live through it. They parted; panting, gasping for breath and grinning at each other like foolish schoolchildren.

He whispered, "You almost were."

End.