Author's Note: This is a sequel to my previous story, It Only Made Me Stronger. If you have found this one and have not yet read the other one, then please read the first one to understand this story. To my returning readers, I hope you enjoy this sequel!

Chapter One: Collaborator

"Olivia, I love you!"

"I love you too, Elliot, but that's the problem. I love you too much to focus on anything else. I don't think I could live with anything or anybody hurting you because of my negligence."

Silence.

"I'm sorry."

Two Months Later

"Dad! Dad! Elizabeth took my sweater and she won't tell me where the hell it is!"

"I told Kathleen it was in the laundry but she's too lazy to go and check!"

"Because I know you're lying to me, you troll! Tell me where it is!"

"Kids, kids, your dad's trying to sleep. Kathleen, I just took it out of the dryer. Elizabeth, we really need to go shopping if you keep this up. Now go."

Elliot moaned groggily. Then, he felt pressure on the mattress and a hand on his back. He wanted to believe it was Olivia but the hand was too cold and uncomfortable.

"Breakfast is almost ready, Elliot. Why don't you get ready for work?"

"I thought I was trying to sleep." Elliot replied irritably.

Kathy giggled, "Well, I changed my mind. Now, up!"

Elliot got up and dressed for work. Ever since Olivia left, each day felt like a long and boring one. He didn't have anything positive to look forward to. There were Munch and Fin but he didn't have a close relationship with them like the one he and Olivia shared. They were best friends but the mistake to try and make it more than that was what separated them. After his shower and shave, Elliot got dressed in his suit. He heard the door open and his blonde wife strolled in.

"This is my favorite suit." She commented.

"Really." Elliot replied uncaringly.

"Yeah, it looks good on you." She replied and fixed his red tie, "It has the bad cop look to it." Kathy smiled, "It's sexy." Then she leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I hate that tie, though. Why don't you go change it?"

"I find out who my new partner is today." Elliot said, changing the subject and dodging her kiss a little but she got him anyway. He tried not to get irritated on her opinion about his tie. It was his favorite tie.

"Really?" Kathy asked; it was clear in her voice she was happy to be reminded that Olivia was gone.

"Yeah."

"Well, hopefully they'll be good to you. Come on, breakfast should be ready now."

Kathy turned around and walked out. Elliot looked at his tie and realized she didn't really fix it at all and only made it worse. Elliot sighed irritably and straightened it. Then, he walked down the stairs to the breakfast table. When he got there, Kathy placed Elliot's plate on the table. Elliot took his seat between Dickie and Eli.

"Hey, I haven't seen Olivia in a while. Is she on a trip?" Dickie asked. Kathy didn't turn around. She didn't want anybody to see the smirk on her face, she knew the truth.

"Livvy?" Eli asked and turned to Elliot, he was obviously concerned about Olivia's whereabouts as well.

"No, uh, we're not partners anymore." Elliot replied and followed it by drinking some of his coffee.

"Why?" Elizabeth questioned, "Liv was so nice!"

"Yeah," Dickie said solemnly, "I'm gonna miss her around here, she was pretty hot."

"Dickie!" Kathy and Elliot exclaimed at the same time. Kathy threw down the fork she was cleaning with frustration and Elliot only looked at his son, not saying anything that showed he disagreed with him.

"What? Somebody had to say it sooner or later."

"Go get your things. You'll be late for school." Kathy said in a threatening tone of voice.

"But I'm not done with-"

"Go!"

Dickie snatched his plate off of the table and scurried towards the front of the house. Kathleen only rolled her eyes, finished her food, and left. Elizabeth quickly followed. Elliot sat in silence for a moment and then stared down at his plate, "I'll be late for work."

He noticed Eli reaching for his food. Elliot set his plate in front of his son and watched him happily nibble off of the bacon. He kissed his son on the forehead, grabbed his car keys, and left with a simple goodbye to Kathy.

Six weeks since he last saw Olivia and even though she's been absent, he hasn't loved her any less. Ever since Kathy heard the news of Olivia leaving her duty as an officer, she liked to believe their marriage was somehow saved. Elliot never saw what Kathy saw, they wouldn't go out to dinner as much, they haven't had sex in over three months, and Elliot purposely stayed at work late so he would spend as less time talking to Kathy as possible. Elliot didn't hate Kathy, he just didn't want to be with her. The only thing that kept his wedding ring on his finger was his kids. Elliot often thought of ways to be close with his kids but not have to deal with the problems he faces with his wife.

Elliot entered the squad room with anticipation of another female partner. Someone who was almost as attractive as Olivia, funny, caring, someone he got along well with. All of his female partners were charmers but since he worked the longest with Olivia, there was always something special about her that no one else could own up to. When he got to his desk, the desk across from his was still vacant. The feverishness only grew.

The memory of Olivia first occupying the job as his partner came into his mind. When he walked in, a beautiful stranger was sitting at the same desk that he thought nobody could replace. When her midnight eyes first looked up at him, he felt his heart speed up a little. When she smiled he couldn't help but smile, which was good for a first meeting. Ever since then, he knew their relationship would be strong. Elliot has always been attracted to Olivia and always cherished their passionate friendship but he fell in love with her much later. It took him even longer to admit that he was in love with her.

"Detective Elliot Stabler?" A masculine voice broke Elliot's thoughts. He looked up at a brawny man. He had dark brown skin, hazel eyes, short black hair that was spiked, and an extremely bright smile that contrasted against his skin. He spoke with an accent that could easily be from South America. This guy looked like he could be on the cover of a magazine, not working sex crimes. Most women thought the same of Elliot, but he prefers saving women instead of posing for them.

"Yes, you must be my new partner." Elliot said and held out his hand.

"I am. My name is Detective Gabriel Luiz, it's a pleasure to be working with you." His new partner firmly shook his hand.

"Ah, I see you two have met. Good, now we have a new case to solve. Let's see if this newcomer can fill these big shoes." Cragen said. He motioned for them to follow him to hear about the new case.

The two looked at each other and followed him.