A/N. Sorry about the almost 12mth break, have been super busy with work, study and then my computer crashed losing all my files, including this original chapter. I'm still planning on continuing it down the same path. Thank you all for constantly reading and reviewing. I know I'm about a season behind, so I am considering a time jump to a few eps, or an entire jump to the current season. Please let me know what you think. Enjoy

The familiar trill of her cell phone was enough to make Olivia jump out of her chair, good, he decided to apologise, she thought. She checked the message only to see that it was from Melinda. The DNA had a match of a parolee fresh out of Rickers. Immediately she updated both Barba and Fin on the situation. In a messed up way, this was honestly the best part of her day so far; a somewhat open and shut case.

She put the phone down and glanced over at Noah who, after many foiled attempts to destroy the office, was finally asleep. She quietly chuckled to herself, wondering if Cragen ever imagined his office being turned into a day care. Although, if Olivia had her way, she wouldn't be exposing Noah to this world, not again. Her eyes flickered between her paperwork and her phone. It sat there on the corner of her desk, mocking her with its deafening silence. She was certain that he would've called by now, then again, this was Elliot Stabler. The man who walked out on their twelve-year partnership without a second word, or so she was lead to believe. This was also the same Elliot Stabler who took out a mortgage to save her ass, who made her believe, yet doubt everything she thought she knew. Had the ability to make her feel so incredibly whole, and empty with just a look. He was a sickness and her cure. He was everything; a perfect contradiction.

Olivia was certain that he wanted to make amends, otherwise why would he call her? Their most recent conversation plays through her head.

"Goddamn it, Olivia, you know what I'm trying to say. You've always known."

He was right, she has always known, hadn't she? At least she thought she did. Olivia had spent the last sixteen years analysing every look, word, touch, convincing herself it was nothing more than friendship, nothing more than concern for a partner. For her though, it was everything, and now she had a chance, they, had a chance to admit it, and Elliot, or rather Olivia was asked to walk away. She grabbed her phone off the desk and started to pace around the office, rhythmically flipping the phone around, wondering if she should call. What if this was their chance? That by the grace of God, or whatever higher power, today was their chance and they were both too pigheaded to realise. She laughed and shook her head, classic Benson and Stabler, she thought.

Hearing the all familiar commotion of brining a suspect in for questioning brought Olivia back to the present. Looking at the time, she realised that it was getting late and Noah would be needing a bath and dinner before it got too cold. The squad appeared to have everything under control, and somehow all the reports were up to date.

She packed up hers and Noah's things and picked him up, just as he was stirring, "hey, precious boy," she kissed his head, drinking in his innocent baby scent, "ready to head home now?"

She had a quick debrief with the squad. Thankfully the perp confessed straight away. He would then be held at Rickers pending a plea bargain, but that was both Barba's and tomorrows problem. Olivia said her goodbye's to her squad and congratulated them on a successful case. Trying not to disclose her current state of mind.

"Liv, you gotta minute?" Fin asked.

"Depends, on what that next sentence is Fin."

"Just wanted to apologise, I was out of line, and you're a big girl, you can look after yourself."

She smiled and put her hand over Fin's signature black leather coat, giving him an affection squeeze, "you weren't," her voice slightly catching, "you're entitled to be angry as well. He left all of us," she paused, "I will keep you posted though."

"Thanks, Liv. We all love you, remember that."

She nodded in reply and they went their separate ways.

Meanwhile, after what felt like an eternity, Olivia finally made it through the hectic Manhattan traffic. She had stopped off on the way home for Chinese, after a day like today she deserved all twelve of those egg rolls. Her mind drifted to the many stakeout and egg roll fights her and Elliot had. No matter, what he always gave her the last egg roll. "Stop it, Liv," she cursed herself.

The sound of footsteps and the familiar smell of Chinese was enough to stir a sleeping Elliot, he looked up, to see Olivia and Noah in the corridor, she was loaded up with her worn briefcase, diaper bag, her toddler along with the Chinese. He got up and ran to her, seeing that something was about to drop. He grabbed the diaper bag off her shoulder.

Usually Olivia, would have responded to that with a swift kick to the testicles, however toddlers and self-defence weren't a great combination. She looked up to see who it was, and nearly dropped everything, "Elliot," she breathed. Feeling as if the air was knocked was completely knocked out of her. What was he doing here? Why was he helping her? Why did he still have that effect on her? After their confrontation and lack of communication today, he still made her feel everything.

"Can I take something else?" he asked, gesturing to the many bags and toddler on her arm.

Noah's pudgy little arms reached out to Elliot, "him apparently," she said while trying to catch her breath and composure. Elliot came closer to grab Noah, the smell of his cologne mixed with sweat was intoxicating and it made it hard to think, "how long have you been here for?" she queried as she unlocked her apartment door and headed inside.

"Um, not that long," he said as he placed Noah on his playmat.

"Elliot."

He rubbed his hand over his face, and laughed. She saw right through him, always did, "all afternoon."

Olivia looked at him, or rather through him, into his entire being, knowing that there was more to the story. "I didn't see your car anywhere," she paused, thinking as to why he would be so sweaty, "oh my god, you ran here didn't you?" she couldn't believe it, the man who ran away from everything ran to her.

"Yes. I couldn't let you leave my life again and wait another four years to man up to contact you again. I just couldn't. I meant what I said, Liv, whatever is left of us, I want it, I need it."

She closed her eyes breathed in long and slow, trying to calm the many thoughts going through her head, "Well, that's all well and good, Elliot, but I also meant what I said, if you think I will forgive you, again…"

"I'm not asking for forgiveness, Liv, just a chance," he pleaded.

She couldn't believe it, she picked up Noah to get him ready for a bath, Elliot followed, trying not to watch her as she walked, "How many chances do you want Elliot?" she turned around and faced him, desperately trying not to look him in the eyes, "How many times do you think I can break my heart for you?"

Those words hit him like bullet to the chest, a feeling he was all too familiar with, "You're right," he started.

"Damn well I'm right," she said in between the inconsequential conversation between her and Noah.

Elliot sighed and sat on the edge of the closed toilet, and he couldn't help but imagine what this could be like, without all the anger and resentment. The two of them sharing bath time with her child, their child. He remembered back to when his own children needed music and toys to bathe, and how many of those he missed out on. He pinched the bridge on his nose, trying to decide the right way to proceed. He only had one chance to say this, and it had to be right. "I can't, nor do I expect you to give me another chance, Liv. I don't deserve it. So you don't need to give it to me," Olivia gave him a quizzical look as she picked her toddler out of the bath and started to dry him, and getting him ready for dinner. "All I ask is that you listen, and let me talk."

She nodded in response, looking at Elliot's face, studying his features, her face crinkled in an attempt to not smile at the slight swelling on his face from their earlier interaction today. He noticed the change in her facial features, knowing that expression all too well. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing," she shook her head as she left the bathroom, "it's just I think the red swelling suits you."

His hand rubbed against where hers collided. He could almost still feel her warmth and energy radiating. He chuckled in response, hoping that would be the last time she would respond like that.

He leaned against the couch, indulging in the almost comfortable silence as Olivia went through her normal routine with Noah, Elliot couldn't help but smile, motherhood suited her. Olivia got up and left the room, to put Noah to bed all too aware of the silence and tension in the room. The way that Elliot was watching her was making her feel things that she had long since given up on.

She took this time to take some slow concentrated breaths, preparing her for the conversation ahead. She was so sure where it was heading and what he was going to say, but then again, she thought she knew that this morning.

After what seemed like a lifetime, she came back to the room. She looked around, and hated how right Elliot looked sitting on her sofa. "Egg roll?"

"Sure."

They then sat side by side. Even though they weren't touching, there was this incredible energy and warmth between the two of them. All that could be heard was the two of them breathing, it was deafening. Don't let me down again, Elliot, I beg you. Olivia thought to herself, she let out a sigh and closed her eyes, "I'm listening," she paused, "but don't make me regret it," please don't make me regret it.

Now or never Stabler, he thought to himself, now or never.