Author's note: This story begins during season seven's "Fault" with Olivia leaving in the middle of the case after Elliot says something to her.

Rated T for things later in the story, will eventually have EO storyline.

Disclaimer: I don't own SVU... (although it would be awesome if I did!)

CHAPTER ONE:

"If that sniper hadn't beaten you to it…I know you would have taken that shot, Olivia."

"No, I wouldn't have. Did you really expect me to? Did you really expect me to cause your death? What about your kids?"

"I don't know. I just couldn't get that boy out of my head."

"What about me?" She asked softly.

"Look, we both chose each other over the job. We can never let that happen again. Otherwise…we can't be partners."

"I can't believe you're saying that."

"Look, you and this job are about the only things that I've got anymore. I don't want to wreck that. I couldn't take it." He paused, clearly holding something back. Olivia got up to leave but turned around to see the look on his face.

"What is it Elliot?" She looked at him with the brown eyes that he had come to find comfort in.

He stood up and pulled her face into his hands. "I love you Olivia."

"Elliot, no, you can't- we can't-" Olivia was cut off by a soft and gentle kiss being placed on her lips. As soon as the kiss was over she ran from his arms and disappeared.

"Are you sure about this Olivia?" Don looked at the detective he had considered his daughter for years now.

She quickly came back from her memory. "Yes." She quietly responded.

Don was at a loss for words as he looked at one of his best detectives. "Call me if you ever need anything then." She nodded. "And Olivia, know that you are always welcome back here okay?"

"Thank you Captain, I will." She said to the man who had been like a father to her since she started working at the 1-6. She offered the captain a quick hug goodbye and then turned and left the office quickly grabbing the box of her belongings on the way out.

Fin was walking in as Olivia walked out of the bull pen. "Olivia?" She stopped and turned to him. "You okay?"

She looked at her friend and said with the most confidence she could muster up, "I'm…uh…not feeling well today."

"And the case?" Fin mentioned.

"I'm gonna look into some leads from home today." She tried to sound convincing.

"Is there a reason that you have a box of your stuff?" Fin said seeing straight through the lie she was clearly telling.

"Just taking some stuff that I have no use for here." She said trying to smile with assurance.

"All right, well, feel better baby girl." Fin said as he patted her on the shoulder.

"Thanks, I'll try Fin." She said as she quickly tried to get out before her partner walked in. She couldn't face him, not now, not after everything that happened in the past few days.

She made it into the elevator, down through the lobby, and out into the cab before she started to cry.

"Miss, are you okay?" The cab driver said to her as she cried quietly in his back seat.

She nodded quietly while wiping her tears with the back of her hand before she told him the address of her building. She sat quietly holding in the tears during the cab ride to her apartment. As soon as she got the apartment door shut she broke down and started sobbing hysterically.