Hey guys! I just can't seem to get these two out of my head! This is an extension of Townhouse Incident (17x11) with a twist. For the sake of this story Ed and Olivia starting seeing each other after their drink in Padre Sandunguero (16x12). I know it strays from the canon timeline so just bare with me.

Enjoy!

Olivia's hands shook and her entire body felt like a live wire as the shot that killed Joe kept ringing over and over in her head. Despite everything going on around her, all she could focus on was Ed's strong arm wrapped around her waist, leading her away from the scene.

All she wanted to do was collapse in his arms but Carisi was on the opposite side of him, helping him lead her to the ambulance so she refrained. When they reached the rig, Carisi moved away from his lieutenant, filling in the paramedic on her injuries.

Olivia took this opportunity to lean into Ed and whisper quickly. "Lower abdominal pain, started 45 minutes ago." She moved her face away swiftly, careful so no one saw the exchange. He gave a quick nod at her words, his jaw clenching.

The paramedic turned towards the three officers, "Okay, guys. Only one person can ride with the lieutenant."

Carisi jumped at the chance. "I got her, Captain. I'm sure you have a lot to take care with HNT." He turned to open the back doors to the ambulance and Ed and Olivia spared a quick look at each other. Carisi stepped into the ambulance, reaching his hand out. "C'mon Lieu."

"Carisi!", Fin called, approaching them. "No ambulance ride for you. We need your help taking statements."

Jumping down from the truck, Carisi stopped by Ed. "Take care of her, Cap." Ed responded with a sure nod as the other man clapped him on the shoulder.

After helping her into the rig and onto the gurney, Ed took a seat in the captain's chair by the head of stretcher. As soon as the heavy doors slammed shut, he let the tips of his fingers thread through her dark hair. Hair that was matted with sweat and blood.

Her trembling hands sought his wrists, her facade starting to crumble. "Ed…" she whimpered, a small cry escaping her lips.

"I know…", he soothed, his voice barely above a whisper. His fingertips pressed lightly into the skin of her scalp, trying his best to calm her.

Clearing his throat, he spoke again this time loud enough for the paramedic to hear. "She's pregnant." The paramedic looked between the two of them before opening his mouth to speak. "Ten weeks", Ed offered, answering the paramedic's question before he even had a chance to ask it.

It was then that Olivia's composure completely disintegrated. Tears streamed down her face, causing tracks to form through the blood that dried there as one of her hands found it's way to lay on her flat stomach.

Ed bent forward and pressed his lips against her forehead, whispering words of reassurance as her body shook with sobs.

Three Weeks Ago

Sitting at his desk at IAB, Ed looked up at the sound of a soft knock on his door. A small smirk spread across his face as he saw Olivia walk through the door. "Lieutenant Benson", he greeted, leaning back in his chair. "To what do I own this pleasure?'

Making her way towards his desk, she spoke. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Captain, but this visit is strictly personal." He smiled at her cheeky response. They have been dating for just over five months and she still hasn't tired of teasing him about his eternal professionalism.

She rounded his desk until she was right next to him, leaning back against the sturdy wood. "I'm beginning to enjoy these personal visits even more than the professional ones." He informed, letting his right hand come up to encircle her lower thigh, right above her knee. "What brings you here?"

Taking a deep breath, Olivia grasped her hands in her lap. "I was going to tell you before you left this morning, but we got… distracted." A blush creeping onto her cheeks as the thoughts of their slow, determined lovemaking entered her mind.

He squeezed her thigh soothingly, "So tell me now."

Her hands were fidgeting, all her nervous energy channeling into her fingertips. "I just want you to know that I didn't mean for this to happen, nor did I even think it was possible for it to happen…"

Her voice stopped as his hand covered hers, ceasing their uneasy movements. "Liv, relax. Just tell me."

Reaching behind her, she pulled the thin plastic stick from her back pocket, holding it out to him. He looked up from the pregnancy test to her concerned face and back down to the test.

Ed had been looking at item in her hand for what felt like forever and the silence was slowly killing her. "Ed, I know this isn't what either of us were expecting to come out of this. We've only been dating for, what, five months? And we're both north of fifty." When Ed was still silent, she sighed. "What I'm saying is, I'm giving you an out. I can raise this baby on my own. I mean, I already have No…"

Before she could even finish his lips were on hers, swallowing her remaining words. He was now standing between her legs, his rough hands gently cradling her face as his lips moved against hers.

He released her lips, his intense blue eyes finding her softs brown ones. "I'm not going anywhere." He rasped, his fingers stroking her pink cheek. She breathed a sigh of relief at his words, closing her eyes as his lips met her forehead. "I've told you before, I'm all in. This doesn't change anything."

Olivia couldn't wipe the smile off her face. "I bet you never thought you were going to be a father at fifty-five, huh?" she asked, her hands coming up to rub against his sides.

Ed chuckled, "It's not what I had planned for my life, that's for sure. But I think it might be better." He moved her hair behind her ear. "I can't think of anyone better to be the mother of my child."

His words were lighting a fire inside of her. She reached her hands up and pulled his face down to hers. Moving his hands to the back of her knees, he hoisted her up so she was fully sitting on his desk with him standing between her legs.

Digging her fingertips into the muscles of his lower back, Olivia opened her mouth under his. His hands held her head in place as his tongue met hers. She scooted forward so her hips were at the edge of his desk, pressing hotly against his.

His hands found her hips, holding them against his as his lips moved down to her neck. "Ed…" She moaned, her hands finding his biceps. He answered by humming against her skin. "Babe…" She repeated, trying to get his attention.

Ed pulled away from Olivia, breathing in deeply through his nose. The familiar redness creeped up his neck as it did every time they got hot and heavy. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice even gruffer than normal as he ran his fingertips down the chords of her neck.

"I want to take my time with you." She breathed, squeezing her thighs against his hips. "Not some quickie on your desk. Come over tonight."

He smiled, pecking her lips. "You don't have to ask me twice."

Stepping away from her, Ed took a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself. Olivia slid off the desk and helped him fix his tie. "Ed…", she began, straightening his lapels. His eyes met hers. "It's still really early, can we keep this between us?"

By the tone in her voice, he could tell she was referring to their relationship as well as the pregnancy. He nodded, running his hands up and down her arms. "For as long as you need."

She knew in that moment that all the years of waiting were worth it because she couldn't imagine starting a family with anyone else.

Hearing the sterile paper crinkle under her, Olivia adjusted herself on the examination table as she stared at the stark white walls in front of her. Suddenly, Amy, the young nurse, stepped into her view. "You're going to need to put this on and the doctor will be in shortly to examine you." She instructed, handing her the folded gown.

She nodded and Amy headed towards the door. She paused in the doorway, looking at Ed as where he stood with his arms folded in the corner. She expected him to follow and when he didn't she nodded minutely, understanding.

When the door clicked shut, Ed made his way to stand in front of Olivia who kept staring straight ahead. "C'mon, doll. We need to get this gown on." He said, taking the gown from her lap and placing it on the table next to her. When his hands reached the hem of her blouse, she flinched. He pulled his hands away so quickly it was as if he were burned. Her glassy eyes jumped to meet his.

Ed took a deep breath, stepping backwards and running a hand over his face. "Olivia, did he…?" He was having a hard time even getting the words out. "Did he…?"

"No", Olivia breathed, her eyes now completely brimming with tears. "But he took the girl into the other room. We could hear her screaming." She completely broke down as the words left her mouth. He couldn't help but step forward and gather her in his arms. She let him, falling against his strong body. "Her brother was begging me to stop him but there was nothing I could do." She sobbed against his chest, her tears soaking through his dress shirt.

He stroked her hair lovingly as she let out all her emotion against his chest. "Listen to me, Liv. You did everything you could, you hear me? Those kids are alive because of you." He spoke into her hair before kissing it.

She pulled back to look at him, her beautiful face marred with bruises, blood and tears. "All I could keep thinking is what if it was…" She couldn't even finish her statement as another round of sobs wracked her body, her hand flying protectively to her stomach.

He breathed heavily, trying his best to hold his own tears at bay. "You can't think like that, okay? If you do, you'll never get out of the bed in the morning."

Those words seemed to calm her. He was right. There was so much tragedy in the world that if she let it consume her she would be no use to Noah or their new baby. She lifted her head off of his chest to look at him, her breath starting to even out. "Can, can you help me?" she asked, referring to her gown. "I'm really sore."

Concerned etched his handsome face. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes", she confirmed, grabbing his hands and bringing them to the bottom of her blouse.

Olivia raised her hands slowly, allowing Ed to push the material up her body. When his hands met her underarms, he stopped. He went rigid at the sight of a large bruise on her right flank. "He kicked you…"

It wasn't as much a question as it was a statement. "No", she said surprising him as he removed the garment the rest of the way, "I fell into something after he pistol whipped me." He let out a primal grunt at hearing about what that bastard did to her. Olivia saw that he couldn't meet her gaze. She grabbed his cheeks, making him look at her. "I'm fine, Ed. Really I am. I'm more worried about the baby."

Fear flashed across his blue eyes and that's when she realized that her words were no comfort to him. "Everything will be okay." She said with a with a weak smile, trying to convince herself as well as him.

Ed nodded briefly before crouching down, assisting her in removing her dress slacks. He helped each foot out, gingerly handling her ankles. Running his calloused fingers over her smooth calves, he noticed her flinch. "What? What did I do?" He asked worriedly, looking up to her face.

"Cramp", she breathed, bringing her hands up to her stomach. He moved so his face was level with her abdomen and softly pressed his lips against the soft skin there. She sighed, one of her hands coming to rest on his head as he continued to lay whispering kisses along her belly.

She looked down at him when she heard him muttering. "It's okay, you're gonna be okay." He murmured lowly, trying to sooth the baby beneath. Little did he know that he was comforting his girlfriend as well.

Standing up, Ed grasped Olivia's hips before helping her back up onto the exam table. His feet stayed planted in front of her as he brought his hands to hold her face. He leaned his forehead against hers, getting lost in her eyes.

They stood there for several minutes. His thumb moving carefully against her cheek, their lips inches from each other making their hot breath mingle between them. The worry in his eyes mixed with the tender words he whispered to their baby caused tears to well in her eyes

The door creaked open and the sound caused Ed to move away, back to the corner of the room in an attempt to maintain their charade. The doctor looked between the two of them as she walked into the room. "Olivia, why don't you lay back? We're going to start the pelvic exam." She explained before turning to Tucker. "You might want to wait outside."

With his hands in his pockets, he took a step forward. "A pelvic, doc? He didn't touch her." The word 'rape' still too bitter on his tongue when it came to Olivia.

A small smile spread across the doctor's face at his attempt to try to remain professional. "I assure you, Captain, it's standard procedure for pregnant women."

Olivia held her hand out to him and he looked at it hesitantly. "It's okay, come here." She said, flexing her outstretched hand. He reached her, one of his hands taking her hand while the other one went to her hair. "I'll be fine. Go have a cigarette, get a cup of coffee and it'll be over by the time you get back."

He looked to the doctor who nodded, confirming her words. "Okay", he conceded, bending down as leaving a lingering kiss on her forehead before reluctantly leaving the room.

Rounding the corner, Ed made his way down the hallway. The sleeves of his white dress shirt rolled up to his elbows, a signature blue paper coffee cup in his hand. Just as he had passed the nurses station, he heard Rollins and Carisi approach it from behind him.

"Olivia Benson?" Rollins asked the nurse sitting at the desk.

Ed turned around, facing the two. "Rollins. Carisi." He greeted.

They turned towards him, temporarily distracted from the nurse. Carisi reached to shake his hand. "Thanks for riding with her, Captain. She seemed pretty shaken up."

"Not a problem." He answered, looking down at his feet.

"All right, Ms. Benson." The nurse piped up, their attention turning back to her. "Looks like they just finished her pelvic and their taking her up to OB for an ultrasound."

Ed's eyes fell shut at her words, a small sigh leaving his lips. Rollins and Carisi couldn't help the shock that found its way to their faces as they turned to look at each other. They looked to the Captain, expecting to see the same shock but that is not what they found. He opened his eyes meeting their stunned expressions. "Keep this on a need to know basis, detectives." He instructed, as if he was their commanding officer.

They both nodded professionally. A faint expression of joy spread across Sonny's face while uneasiness was evident on Amanda's. It wasn't lost on them how jaded Tucker was to the surprising news.

The two detectives spared a look at each as a different nurse approached them from behind Ed. "Captain Tucker", she called, causing him to turn around. "Lieutenant Benson is all set up in room five, she's waiting on you to start the ultrasound."

And there it went, the affair they've been keeping secret for six months out in the open. He turned to face Rollins and Carisi. With their suspicion being confirmed, he could tell that they were looking at him in a different light. Not a bad light, just a different one.

Giving them an understanding nod, he turned as followed the doctor.

Hearing the door to the exam room open, Olivia looked up to find Ed walking in. His sleeves rolled up, showing off his muscular forearms. She noted the way his jaw was flexing and relaxing with the effort of chewing gum. A habit he picks up when he's stressed.

When he reached her, he smiled down at her. Her face was cleaned of all the blood, sweat and make up, a butterfly bandage covering the cut on her cheek bone. "Gorgeous", he mused, his fingers finding her forehead and moving into her soft hair.

"Liar", she smirked, enjoying the feeling of his fingers against her scalp. "You're nervous", she observed, motioning to the gum he was chewing. It wasn't a question but a statement.

He pulled up a nearby chair, taking her hand in his once he was seated. Pressing the back of her smooth hand to his rough cheek, he smiled sadly at her. "Of course I am." His voice was pure gravel.

Olivia drew her finger down his cheek to trace his thin lips. "Me too", she confessed, her eyes following the path of her finger. He caught her hand in his, pressing a firm kiss into her palm.

"Rollins and Carisi know." Ed told her. A shocked look crossed her face.

Before she could speak the door opened and Ed instinctively pulled his mouth away, his hand still remaining intertwined with hers. The doctor entered the room, wheeling the ultrasound machine in. "You must be Dad." She observed, setting up the machine.

A wide smile spread across his face at the moniker. Olivia had never seen his face light up quite that much. "Yeah, I'm Dad." He replied.

"Okay Mom, let's get started." The doctor began, pushing up her gown so it rested right under her bosom, revealing her still flat stomach.

The deep blue satin of her panties caught his eyes. He remembered watching her slip them on that morning as she dressed. Her hair a mess from his hands and her chest red from his morning stubble. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

He was brought out of his thoughts as the doctor spoke. "Unfortunately, taking into account your age, this pregnancy is considered high risk. But as long as we can locate a heartbeat, there's no reason to think this baby will be anything but perfect." She explained, squirting the blue gel on her belly.

The doctor moved the attachment over Olivia's stomach before continuing. "I know you two have very demanding jobs, but do you're best to keep the stress levels low. You got that, Dad?" Ed nodded with a small smile as he watched the ultrasound wands spread the gel over her abdomen. "If I'm not mistaken, this will be the first time you hear the heartbeat? Last time, it was probably too early."

Olivia nodded.

The silence hung thick in the room and lasted several minutes. Ed could tell his girl was getting anxious. Her eyes were darting around and her bottom lip was trembling. He tried to sooth her in the only he knows how, by running his rugged hand up and down her smooth arm.

And then, there it was. The sound that Ed and Olivia had been waiting with baited breath to hear. The rapid fluttering filled the room, overtaking the silence. Ed's forehead dropped to their joined hands as Olivia's head fell back, tears slipping from her eyes. Relief washing over both of them like a tidal wave.

Feeling Ed lay kisses on her hand, she squeezed the fingers that were intertwined with her. He lifted his head and meet her glossy eyes. "That's our baby." She sobbed.

Moving closer, he pressed him lips firmly against hers. She held his face to hers, feeling the safety and care that radiated off of him. "That's our baby." he repeated against her lips, his voice gruff with emotion.

Suddenly, the day that seemed the darkest got a little bit brighter.

Slipping his hands into the pockets of his slacks, Ed leaned against the open door way. He smiled at a peaceful Olivia, laying in bed with her eyes shut. The comforter resting at her waistline, showing of the baby blue cami that was hugging her curves. Her hair pulled up into a messy bun, several tendrils falling out of place.

Her eyes were still closed when she spoke, "You know, I think you might be the most handsome lurker out there." A smile spread across her face before she opened her eyes.

There was a light that shone in his eyes when she smiled. "Teeth are brushed, story time is finished and Noah is asleep." he explained.

"Thank you", she whispered, lovingly. She gazed at him for several moments, drinking him in. He was standing there, still in his work slacks and his button down long gone. In its place was his under shirt that stretched across the muscles of his chest and arms. "Well, are you just gonna stand there or…?"

At her words, he moved into the room. Making his way around to her side of the bed, he perched on the edge right next to Olivia. She observed the way he was sitting. Rigid posture, his hands in his lap. "I'm not made of glass, you know." She voiced, her hand reached out to rest on his arm.

That was enough to soften his exterior. Letting out a breath, he brought his hand up to the side of her neck to gently swipe his thumb over her injured cheek. "Hi", she whispered, leaning into his hand.

"Hi", he responded, a small smile playing on his lips. He moved his hand only to brush some of the loose pieces of hair behind her ear. "You've had a long day, you need rest."

Olivia knew Ed and she could tell that he was hinting that she needed rest without him. "No, stay", she begged, practically hugging his arm to her body. "Please." As if it had a mind of its own, his hand moved to slip under the fabric of her tank top to press against the warm skin there.

If anyone could break his resolve, it was the woman in front of him. There was no way he could resist those big brown eyes pleading with him. The same words kept falling from her lips like a breathy prayer, luring him forward.

His eyes fell closed as their foreheads met, their breathes mingling together. "Stay with me tonight, sugar." she requested, using the nickname that she only used in these intimate moments. Your lips are as sweet as sugar she had said one of the first times they had kissed.

She knew he had no control when she called him that, none. A groan bubbled deep in his throat as his blunt nails scraped against the skin of her stomach. "I'm safe with you, make me feel safe."

That did him in, his lips caught hers in a searing kiss. She was making him lose control and she knew exactly what she was doing. There was nothing in this world that Ed wanted more than for Olivia to feel safe.

Without his lips leaving hers, he maneuvered so he was straddling her hips. He broke the kiss, kneeling above her. Her lust filled eyes looked up at him as he reached behind his head, grasping the neckline of his white t shirt and pulling it off. She bit her lip when she saw the redness spread up his neck from his chest, reaching his ears. A tell tale sign of the arousal coursing through his body.

He looked down at her as he balled up his shirt and tossed it aside. Her breasts heaved under the constraints on her tank top with every breath she took. She reached her hands up until her fingers found the firm muscles of his lower stomach.

Olivia could never get enough of admiring Ed's body. She could never have imagined that a fifty-five year old could have such a toned body. Of course, he could wear the hell out of a suit but nothing compared to the first time she saw him naked.

His eyes closed against the feeling of her nails scraping along the waistband of his pants. They flew open when he felt his belt buckle begin to come undone. As soon as she unzipped his fly, his lips were back on hers.

Placing his forearms on either side of her head, his fingers threaded through her hair as he took her bottom lip between his. Without his lips leaving hers, he managed to settle himself between her legs. He felt her legs bend on either side of him, her thighs brushing against his hips.

Ed's lips left hers only to lay kisses all over her face. Her nose, both her eyes, her forehead, before they moved to her cheek. They brushed over the bandaged cut there, not applying pressure. Just lingering there, as if his warm breath could heal her. She closed her eyes at the feeling.

He was amazed by the woman under him. She had been through so much in the years he had known her and had never ceased to bounce back. She deserved to be respected, cherished, wanted… loved.

His lips stilled as the thought fleeted from his mind. He pulled his face back from hers to take in her beauty. His eyes were looking between hers when something glistening in the dim room caught his attention.

Looking down, he noticed the golden pendant she always wore nestled between her supple breasts. He took it in between his fingers, reading the inscription on it. Fearlessness. A half smile crossed his face, there isn't a word in the English language that could describe her better. If she could brave today, he could find the courage to tell her how he felt.

Her hand found his chin, making his eyes meet hers. He could tell she was trying to figure out what was going on in his head.

Taking a deep breath, he spoke. "I love you , Liv. J.C Mary and Joseph I love you everything about you. Professionally, emotionally, spiritually, physically." He groaned, looking down at her body beneath his as he pushed his groin against hers. "And I love seeing you being a mom to Noah, knowing you'll be like that with our baby. There's no one else I would want to do this with…". Before he could finish, her lips were on his. Her hands found the back of his head, holding his face to hers.

When Olivia finally pulled away, she pressed her forehead against his. "I love you too, sugar."

Ed kissed her again, smiling against her lips while sliding a hand beneath her tank top to rest against her smooth stomach. "You're kinda stuck with me now." He grinned, his bright eyes dancing as he rubbed her tummy.

She rolled her eyes jokingly, "What have I gotten myself into?"

Before she knew it, his hands were attacking her sides causing her to laugh out and squirm under him. "You're gonna pay for that!" He rasped, his hands not ceasing.

"What if… I pay you… back in… another way?" She managed to get out between laughs. That caused him to stop, mischief and lust dancing in his eyes. The look on his face caused her to laugh again. "You're so easy, Tucker!"

His hands returned to her sides, continuing the attack while his lips began their own attack on her neck.

Today was a dark cloud over her, but this is what kept her going. Goofing around with Ed, Noah sleeping in the other room, their baby growing in her belly. They were her sweet silver lining.

I really really really love hearing what you guys think so please review!