Disclaimer: They're not mine! that's news to me! pout>

A/N: thanks to all who reviewed.

CKS24: there are three kinds of ppl in the world, those who can count, and those who can't. can you guess which kind i am? jk

Seth Cohen's girlfriend: sorry that you almost cried! Again! want a hanky?

Touchstone: good to know that you actually want to know more. I wish i had known what was gonna happen when i wrote it!

Dreamer7182002: YAY! it was liked! it was something fun and fluffy! me gusta fluff!

jmewebber: i feel bad. like i just stabbed him or something. But it'll all heal by the end! Don't worry!

LandofShadows: Girly, you reviewed! I was afraid people would be mad about the POV change! I hope they're not cuz here's another! See ya later!

SVUlover: Please don't cry, this is supposed to be romance not angst. Although since i almost cried while writing it, that could be because i was sitting in my dusty living room, i shouldn't be talking.

LadyV77: oh i luuuuuuuv torturing Elliot! he's so lovable and stuff that then you want to comfort him! besides if he can torture us everyday on the show, why can't i torture him? jk

Traci: Thank you for the compliment. I am cruel aren't I! Don't worry fireworks are definitely in the future!

gqfan4life11: your wish is my command. well not really, but here's your update.

Jessica: i know, me too!

Historynut (Brikyzbabe: if i right SVU romance, it is a mandate that it has to go OE, otherwise i'll have to hold myself in contempt! you really think it's inventive and unusual? YAY

oh yeah, this is in Olivia's POV btw. this is also the last chapter! tear>

The Domino Effect

Chapter 3

It All Falls Down-

It's a very odd feeling to be in hiding. To be commanded to keep who you are from the world around you, but desperately wanting life to return to normal so that you can do what you want, when you want. Of course, when and if it ends, every move you make is under a microscope. Coworkers tread on eggshells and treat you like a very expensive porcelain doll that already has a large crack through the beautiful, outer mask. It's now, while under deep scrutiny, that I wish hiding was once again an option.

It doesn't help that I feel guilty for leaving them. I didn't take the detail I was offered, and Elliot knew, thanks to our encounter with a perp named Plummer years back, that putting a detail on me without my knowledge was a very dangerous idea. Half of my mind screams that I was a cop and was well equipped to handle myself; the other half whispers that I tore apart a whole unit because my damn pride wouldn't let me accept help when it was offered.

I was terrified when I found myself hailing a taxi to the precinct. I was allowed in without question, and while riding the elevator up, it occurred to me that the whole squad was probably there, right now. I wasn't in the mood for welcome parties so I waited by the glass doors. My hair is longer now, back to its original color, and I tugged my hat down over my eyes and nose. I can see them but they can't see me.

Only Elliot and Cragen are inside, Munch and Fin are out of sight and their personal belongings aren't in view. Elliot is flipping through a file, eyes narrowed into deadly slits. Whoever his partner is, they sure have a lot of work left, I note, scanning my eyes over the mountainous pile on what used to be my desk. The coffee mug looks very familiar and I watch him pick it off of the other desk and skim his finger tip along the rim. His eyes involuntarily close and he puts the cup back down. My lips tingle slightly and I wish I could feel my partner's, no, ex-partner's fingers touch my mouth. What the hell? I push my thought away.

Cragen steps into the squad-room and hovers over Elliot, they speak softly, Cragen picking up the file once Elliot has put it down. His eyes blaze briefly and I can tell that the case is personal. I wish I could get my eager hands on that file. I watch as Elliot stands and grabs his things, hurrying to the door. With a jolt, I realize he is headed straight for me and my heart pounds through my chest.

He bangs the door open and I jump backwards. The slam of the door against the frame makes me flinch involuntarily and Elliot shoots a glance in my direction, noticing the small tremors shaking my spine. I sink my teeth into my lower lip to bit back the sob threatening to escape. I hadn't counted on seeing him like this.

From under my cover, I see his eyes widen. His gaze washes over me, taking in the dark coat and spicy scarf. He takes a quick step towards me, hand outstretched.

"Olivia?" his voice is stretched tight, like a rubber band right before it snaps in two. Without meaning to, I take a step away from his hand.

His eyes cloud over again and he turns away. "Sorry miss, I-" he struggles with the words, "I thought you were someone else." His tone indicates that he truly believes that he made a mistake.

I watch him walk away from me, his shoulders are slumped and he doesn't have the jaunty bounce I'm so used to. I wonder quickly if my accident did that to him before I shove the thought out of my mind. I slump back against the wall and close my eyes for a moment, waiting till the lighted number above the elevator blinks 1. Then I'm sure he's gone.

I lean against the wall and patiently collect my thoughts, The young man standing at the end of the hall keeps trying to catch my eye and when he does he winks. I roll my eyes back and turn away trying to show that I'm not interested. He takes my hint and leaves, pushing the door to the stairs open and heading down them at a breakneck pace. It was an act I'd seen many times before. Either a perp had seen my badge and had taken off, or when Elliot gave guys the hairy eyeball for checking me out.

I take a deep breath and push open the door. It doesn't squeak anymore, I notice, wondering when it was fixed. Cragen was back in his office, sitting at his desk and leafing through a large book. He jumps up when he notices me.

"Can I help you?" he sounds sincere, but I can hear a tired edge, where under the surface he is hoping I will just leave him alone.

Not wanting to clue him in to who I am I look down at the floor, "Does a Detective Elliot Stabler work here?"

"Yes," he nods, and I bite my lip hard enough to draw blood. "He's not here now though, he's got the afternoon off. Do you need to report a rape? Or are you a girlfriend that he never told me about?"

I can't stop the small chuckle that bursts forth, Elliot's girlfriend? God I wish. I mean, now that I'm no longer his partner, maybe I can test our connection.

"Oh God no, I wasn't raped. My Mom was though, but that was a long time ago. As for being Detective Stabler's girlfriend, let's just say that my situation at home doesn't really allow for boyfriends not to mention my job doesn't either." I answer, trying to cover my laugh.

"Oh really," I can tell he doesn't want to laugh too, "What do you do for a living?"

I shrugged, "I'm kind of between jobs right now," I admitted, "I used to be a cop. I worked with the best group of guys ever, then some stuff came up and I became a kindergarten teacher because the real one was on maternity leave for a few months." I feel my eyes twinkle underneath my hat.

"Where did you teach?" I look at him carefully, wondering if he's learned to question everyone like this. If so, he'd make a damn good lawyer.

"I taught in a private school in New Jersey, up in Princeton, not ten minutes from the university." I clasped her hands and placed them under mychin, another habit that I can't break, no matter how hard I try.

He leans forward slightly, "Were you a cop in Princeton?" I was intriguing him.

I shook my head, "Actually I was part of the NYPD, and I just pissed off some high and mighty people."

"Holy shit," I hear him mutter under his breath, and my grin intensifies. He knows. "You want to take your hat off Detective?"

I saw the smile dance across his face and I felt the urge to hug him tight,

"I was wondering when you would ask," I reach to pull my hat off, "Captain,"

"Are you back to stay?" I can hear that he is afraid I'll say no.

I shrug, "I've already re-received my badge but I'm not sure which units have openings right now! I guess I'll see you around then Don,"

I stand to leave, "Hey Olivia," he calls after me, his words making my heart jump through the roof with joy. "How would you like your old job back?"

"You mean would I like to work with the 1-6 again?" I grinned jauntily, "You bet Mr. Boss Sir."

He chuckles quietly and turns his head towards Elliot's partner's desk. "Not just back at the 1-6," I hear him say, "Back with Detective Stabler." I feel my mouth hang open in shock.

"I'd love to Captain, but I don't want to put his partner out of a job." As much as it kills me, I don't have the right to hurt anyone else.

"He doesn't have a partner, Olivia," was all the response I got,

"But, the desk…its occupied" I was stumbling over my words, trying to figure everything out. Leaning around me, he pulled out my chair.

"Have a seat Liv," I slump heavily into the chair examining everything that had once belonged to me.

"It's all the same." I mumble, hardly able to understand why.

"It was Elliot's idea." Cragen confirms my thoughts, "He went through eleven partners in the first month after you left and fourteen the second. After that, we gave up and he worked with Munch or Fin."

"Why did he go through so many?" I ask, thinking that I might just know the answer.

"Because none of them were you!" He sounds like he's stating the obvious. He is.

"I better go," I mutter, knowing that if I stay my tears will take over.

He smiles stiffly "okay," I nodded. "I'm seeing Elliot later tonight; I'll tell him that he's got a new partner coming in."

"Thanks Captain," he won't say who I am and I'm grateful, that's my job.

Before I can walk away, he pulls me into a paternal hug, breathing in the scent of my hair and I can feel him smile.

"If you don't let me go Don, Elliot will think you stood him up." The thought of Elliot pissed off, drunk, and emotionally unstable, was enough to get him to release me.

"It's good to have you back Benson!" Everything feels normal, like I never left.

He asks a few more heavy questions and I ignore my answers, trying to get out of the precinct.

I curl up into a ball that night, hugging my knees to my chest under the covers and picturing Elliot's eyes beneath my dark lashes. My sleep is fitful, plagued by thoughts of Elliot not forgiving me, blaming me for leaving, hating me for my bad decisions.

My alarm clock is shrill the next morning and I hastily shower and pull my hair back into a short ponytail. I feel weird pulling my navy NYPD t-shirt on over my head. It definitely shrunk in the wash and now fits snugly and beautifully. I tuck it into my low-riser jeans and pull on my black trench coat, making sure to lock the door behind me.

I walk through the bull-pen and into Cragen's office, thankful that no one is there yet. I barely sat my butt on the seat when the door swings open and I hear Munch and Fin chatting. I feel a warmth spread through my limbs dispite the first snowfall from last night. Cragen shoots me a fatherly smile and steps into the room; I immediately stand and start pacing back and forth, wearing a hole into the tile.

A few minutes go by and my heart stops when I hear the door again. Pulling up the blinds with my finger, I watch Elliot storm into the room, obviously extremely ticked off. He glares at Cragen, and takes a sip of the coffee he is holding.

"Elliot," I hear my captain call, "Are you okay?"

I see him nod his head slowly and I itch to wrap him into a large hug.

"Want to meet your new partner?" his head jerks up at Cragen's words and I place my hand on the doorknob.

He shrugs and that's good enough for me. I let the door swing open and step into the room, keeping my head down facing the ground. I hear Munch and Fin's intake of breath and a raise my face to notice that Elliot's cheeks are deathly pale.

I reach out my hand and give him a half smile. "Hey," I barely whisper.

That's all I need to say before he launches himself at me. Elliot's arms are warm, and his breath is soft on my neck. I part my lips slowly, not even realizing I had done so until I felt a hot mouth on mine. Elliot started to pull away but I reached my hand to cradle the back of his neck, pulling him closer.

Everything I had ever heard was true. Fire works practically exploded behind my eyes and his tongue slipped into my mouth, letting me taste the small bit of coffee he had consumed earlier. He smelled the same as ever and I felt my gut clench pleasantly with the feeling of coming home. We broke apart for air slowly and he rested his forehead against mine.

"Don't move," he whispered when I started to pull away slowly,

"As soon as I move everything will fall down!" I whisper back, feeling him pull me into him even more.

"Like dominos." Elliot mumbles in response, letting his fingers toy with the silky ends of her ponytail.

I had never thought of it like that before. When one thing goes wrong, everything follows until everything around you is up in flames. It's what shrinks like to call the domino effect and Elliot and I were not prepared to face it all over again.

"Have any of you seen Elliot?" Cragen asked Munch and Fin, trying to hide the joy in his voice. "He has to meet his new partner."

"Haven't seen him anywhere," Fin added, catching on. "Haven't seen what he's been up to either!" he winked.

I pulled away from Elliot to glance at them, catching a twenty dollar bill passing between Munch and Fin. Cragen grinned. I shot Munch a look.

He cleared his throat ceremoniously, "Fin bet me twenty bucks that you were still alive, I bet him that the best thing that had ever happened to you was right under your nose."

My eyes started to burn with the need to shed my tears and I felt Elliot's hands on my waist. Leaning forwards he whispered hotly into my ear.

"Looks like the dominos fell up."

The tears started to stream down my cheeks as each and every person in the bull-pen at that moment came forward to envelope me into a monstrous group hug.

"The domino effect wins again!" I whispered back to him, before pressing my lips to his in a soft, promising, kiss.

THE END