It had been exactly six years since he had seen Olivia Benson. Even after six years those chilling words that sprung from her lips still rang in his ears and pounded in his chest. It's too late, you prick! Dean Porter you're under arrest for the murders of Carlos Martinez and Ramona Rodriguez. Special Agent Dean Porter just stood there-stunned. Those few steps he took turning his back on her leaving her alone almost on the verge of tears still haunts him to this day. He wished he had worded it better but the cardinal rule still stood. Office romance cannot interfere with the job and it did. Porter really believed he and Olivia had a second chance to make it go when their offices teamed up for this recent case. They parted ways amicably but sadly in 2007 after a quick and very physical encounter. Since that October evening he's wanted to pick up the phone so many times and call her, send a text or compile an apologetic email. He also had hoped she would've reached out to him but he knew better. It was going to be him to do the groveling. Whether he was sitting behind his desk, in the car or standing at his kitchen counter with an unopen can of beer or a full glass of wine, one thing was certain…Detective Olivia Benson was never far from his mind.

The FBI had been working on a case for about a month now when Dean Porter was called in. Immediately he knew the location and had hoped to catch her coming or going. The case was a child pornography ring being run out of the dilapidated building, a block away from Olivia's. Agent Porter had been promoted to field operations senior supervisor and had spent three years in the Dallas, Texas and Washington D.C. Bureau before gaining his promotion and being sent back to New York where he over saw New York/New Jersey burrows. He had contemplated retirement many a time. Twenty five years with the bureau and six years with the United States Navy where he served two years as a SEAL made him eligible for a comfortable retirement. At 52 years of age his mind and body had been through a lot. A separated shoulder, two rounds of stitches, a busted jaw and suffering a non-threatening gunshot wound to his right bicep area made him think more and more about not answering to an alarm clock but rather sitting on his front porch sipping coffee, reading the sports page, hunting with his beloved golden retriever in the Adirondacks mountains or enjoying a glass of chianti overlooking the lake at sunset. This was his second home. His city retreat he called it. Dean was hardly ever at his studio bachelor pad in lower Manhattan. He only knew work meant 24/7 but the arthritis throughout his body from the extensive physical demands of his job was evident.

A few blocks from her apartment building, Porter was exiting the bodega with a cup of coffee and a package of Hostess chocolate cupcakes. The man had humongous sweet tooth and as hard as Olivia tried she could never break him of it. The petite elderly woman entering almost knocked his coffee from his hand. "Oh dear excuse me I didn't see you coming out. It's awfully bright today and the glare on the glass, well..." "No worries mam and I agree it's very bright out today. Good day to wear these," Dean told her as he moved past her lowering his Maui Jims over his eyes. The lady smiled and took a few steps into the store before turning around looking at him wondering where she knew him from. Agent Porter was talking to another well-dressed man; he had an ear piece in. A light bulb kind of expression washed over her. She wheeled her basket with her groceries coming closer to Dean and his colleague. "I searched my memory and you know it aint as good as it used to be but aren't you the gentleman that visited the pretty police woman in my building some time ago?" The other agent standing there with Dean lowered his eye wear looking at the woman with a crooked smile on his face. "Lord knows I can't remember her name but she sure was a pretty a young thing. We all felt so safe with her living there then she just one day up and moved away." Dean searched the woman's face not sure if she had early stages of dementia. He shot his subordinate a quick glance. "Oh yes now I remember. Olivia. It's Greek you know, she didn't look Greek though. Well you have a nice day now." As she started past Dean he walked along with her. "The lady, Olivia, she never mentioned where she was moving to?" The old woman pursed her lips and wrinkled her brow. "Now she may have but I don't recollect I ever caught where she was going to." "That's ok mam, thank you." The elderly woman walked off muttering to herself. Porter thought that may explain why he hasn't seen Olivia coming or going and he's been on and off the site with the other agents for the past three days. A radio call alerted the Government men to a playground across town.

Lt. Olivia Benson had just finished the celebratory lunch her colleagues had thrown her. She thanked Lucy for bringing Noah which was a surprise then strapped him into his stroller and said her good byes to all. She and her son had a play date at the park. He made a few phone calls while sitting in his black Lincoln Navigator. The FBI desperately wanted to shut down this operation. A month was too long for this case to continue. The ring leaders were acting smarter than the cops so it came down from he higher ups. Close the case or heads are going to roll. He had just sent the six agents off site and told them he would catch up later. Dean stepped down from his vehicle and walked over to her. "Olivia?" She had just strapped Noah in the swing when she turned to look his way. She had a firm look on her face. "Well this is certainly a surprise what brings you here? She said very matter of fact looking back to Noah, smiling at his excitement of being swung. Dean looked at the toddler then back to Olivia.

"Congratulations, how old is he?" "Thanks, he'll be two soon," she said as she made happy faces at her son retreating back to her. He lifted his head to glance backwards at his mommy. Dean didn't notice a ring on her finger as she continued to push Noah. Her beauty still mesmerized him. By now Noah was curious as to whom this man was standing next to his mother. Dean smiled and waved to him. Noah scrunched up his fingers in his attempt at waving back. Olivia scolded herself for letting her mind go adrift for a second with Porter's rugged good looks…STILL. Snapping back into comfortable territory she was shy of barking at him. "So are you going to tell me why you're here or is that a matter of national security too?" Dean managed to make a small smile at her passive aggressiveness. He raised his eye wear to the top of his head. Maybe this was not a good idea to approach her since he felt she was still harboring ill feelings. "Were closing in on a child pornography ring and thought we had the suspect in view over there. He motioned to the south side of the park. "What? why haven't we heard about this? You mind sharing?" she said perturbed. She slowed down Noah. Just the thought of sleaze bags preying on young kids and latch key kids who too often play at this park made her skin crawl. "How long has the FBI has sat on this?" "About a month," he said. "Look Olivia before you grill me about this will you just hear me out?" "That depends because if it's about what happened in the squad room a few years back I'm not interested. Its water under the bridge as far as I'm concerned." "Olivia wait…please." "Look Dean, I'm used to being kept in the dark when dealing with the Feds." She picked up Noah who was vocal now not wanting to leave. "I will be expecting a call or I'll be calling 26 Federal Plaza." She locked eyes with Dean while buckling Noah in. "There's nobody higher up then me so you're dealing with me now." Olivia let it sink in. "Good- congratulations, then you'll have no problem finding my office." Dean stood with is hands in his pockets very stone faced. Olivia flashed him a half smile as she left.