As Olivia made her way through the market with Noah on her hip, it never occurred to her that fate may step in and reintroduce one of the most substantial relationships of her life. In fact, she was so blissfully happy with her son that she almost didn't see the familiar face in the crowd.

"Liv?" She heard his voice and turned from the produce she was examining and caught her breath when she laid eyes on him.

"Elliot?" She stated an immediate smile spreading across her face. She hated to admit to herself that she was relieved he was also smiling that classic Stabler smile. She held Noah in one arm and hugged Elliot with the other. "What are you doing here?"

She couldn't believe she'd forgotten how intense his eye contact could be, "I moved back to the city a few months ago. Who is this?" He gestured to Noah.

She beamed, looking at her son again trying to see him through Elliot's eye. "This is Noah, he's my son."

"He's a handsome guy." Elliot said and Olivia thought she caught him glance towards her hands. "So you're married now?"

She smiled, thinking of how complicated that situation actually was, "No I'm not. How's Kathy?"

If she realized how quickly that question would have washed away his smile she would have never asked.

"Kathy passed away six months ago, cancer."

Olivia's face turned with compassion as she touched his arm, "Oh El, I'm so sorry."

He shook his head slightly and smiled again at Noah, "It's fine. You know...I'd love to buy you a coffee. Can we put the shopping on hold for a minute and go to the Starbucks?"

She smiled, "Yeah why not?" She said as they started walking towards the Starbucks.

"So are you still at SVU?" He asked as they walked

"Yeah, I'm a Lieutenant now and you'd never guess who is my second in command."

"Who?" He inquired with an inquisitive look.

"Fin," She said with a laugh.

He smiled, "You're right I never would have guessed. How's Cragen?"

"Great, he's retired and living with his girlfriend...going on cruises and the like."

"That's great," He said as they walked up to the line to order their coffee. "What about you? Have you torn yourself away from work enough to go on any adventures?"

Olivia's stomach flopped as she thought about Elliot knowing what happened with Tucker. "Yeah, I've been to Paris recently."

"Paris? Do you have some man whisking you off to romantic places?"

She tilted her head in surprise that he would ask such a forward question. He had changed. "Not anymore, we broke up."

He could sense something in her eyes which led him to ask, "Anyone I know?"

Her stomach sank as she tried to think of a way out of this and was relieved when the line moved forward and it was their turn to order. She let a grin appear across her face as she got away without answering for the time being. She stepped up and ordered as he looked at her with a questioning look. He ordered next and they went to find a table.

They made eye contact as she was setting up Noah in a booster, "Okay Liv, now I have to know. Please do not say Fin."

She burst out laughing, that was the last person she thought he would guess. She heard the barista call out her name and thought that was perfect time as any. "Tucker took me to Paris." She said matter of factly as she turned on her heel to get her coffee.

Now it was Elliot's turn to feel his stomach sinking. He couldn't believe after all this time Tucker got to her before he did. He couldn't help but feel a little bit of rage and jealousy slip up into his chest. How could Olivia date such a rat?

She came back with two coffees and a bagel for Noah. Elliot was still in shock. He looked at her while he said, "Tucker?"

She nodded afraid what he would say next.

"I didn't know you slept with rats." He said pointedly.

He immediately regretted his comment when he saw her face turn serious. "Elliot, that's enough."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

Olivia was partially relieved and partially annoyed when her phone rang. She answered and murmured a few times about work related things before hanging up. She looked at Elliot apologetically before saying, "Duty calls."

He forced a smile as they both stood. Olivia threw the unopened bagel in the diaper bag and picked up Noah. She paused before she left. "It was really good to see you."

"It was." She turned picking up her bag when she heard him say, "Liv." She turned back towards him. "You know I don't even have your phone number anymore."

She sighed softly knowing all too well who's fault that was. She set Noah down briefly to pull a business card out of her diaper bag/purse.

She looked him in the eyes when she pointedly said, "Don't be a stranger."

He watched this beautiful woman, now a mother, walk away and he couldn't believe he ever let her go.