Got a few minutes in my busy schedule to write the next chapter. Strictly an E/O centered chapter...hope you like it. Much more to come :)

After searching the streets of New York, Olivia finally decided to try Elliot's apartment hoping he had given up and gone back home finally. She got to his door and knocked gently, afraid of his reaction.

Elliot opened the door slowly; he seemed surprised to see her. "Olivia."

She sighed. "I'm so sorry Elliot…I had no idea that they were planning that. I feel terrible and you-"

"It's fine." He said shaking his head. "It's not your fault."

"It's not fine…" She said. "Nothing is fine…"

Elliot stared at her for a minute. "What do you mean?"

She sighed. "God I hate California." She said beginning to tear up. "I hate my new partner he's more of a jackass then you. I hate my new house and Jake and I fight all day everyday…I'm miserable! But I can't tell anyone that because then I'll look like an idiot because once again I screwed up and made a bad choice."

Elliot sighed. "Liv…"

"This wasn't supposed to be the way this turned out…Jake is perfect for me. We were supposed to be happy in California…I was supposed to be happy in California." She said sniffling.

"Why don't you come inside?" Elliot asked moving aside for her. "I can tell this is going to be a long conversation."

Olivia walked past him and into his apartment, she immediately began pacing. "The only person I have wanted to talk to lately is you because you're my best friend. You're the only one that ever lets me rant…but I couldn't call you because Jake didn't want me too. This isn't me! I'm not the kind of girl that does whatever a man tells her to do. I'm Olivia Benson…I have a mind of my own. I can make my own decisions."

"He just doesn't want you to talk to me because of our history…" Elliot said shrugging. "It's not that strange of a request."

"But…you're my best friend." She said staring directly at him. "I can't just…never speak to you again."

Elliot walked closer to her. "Olivia I think that if you really took the time and gave California a chance…you could be happy there with Jake."

She shook her head. "No. I can't…you know I can't. I know I can't. I don't know what I was thinking."

Elliot laughed. "You were thinking I'm out of my mind and being in a relationship with me would be hell…"

"No…I was thinking that everything I've ever wanted was just offered to me…so naturally it's time to run." She said smiling at him. "It's what I do best…"

"You run…I hit things." He shrugged. "No one's perfect."

"What's wrong with us?" Olivia asked closing her eyes. "Why can't we just…let ourselves be happy?"

Elliot sighed. "Because…we're two of the most screwed up people in the universe."

"Do you believe that if you find the right person…" She paused. "That it can fix whatever's broken inside of yourself? Do you think that they are just that missing piece that you've been waiting for?"

Elliot stared at her for a moment to cup her face in his hands. "I think that…when you find the right person…they love you for the way you are. They don't want to fix you…" He shrugged. "I don't want to fix you…I like you just the way you are."

"Even though I'm a mess?" Olivia asked laughing.

"You're not a mess…" Elliot said. "You are the bravest person I have ever known Olivia. I cant imagine going through everything you've been through…if I were in your shoes I would have either killed myself or been put in jail for some idiotic choice. You fight…you fight for everyone that is involved in your life. You fight for the victims when they can't speak…and even when they can. You take care of everyone but yourself…because you are the most unselfish person in the world. You Olivia Benson are not a mess…you're perfect."

Olivia sighed and leaned into him, not caring or knowing where this would lead them. All she knew was that right now…she needed to feel her best friend holding her in his arms.

"You're so full of shit." She said into his shirt. "And yet…I can't stay away from you."

Elliot wrapped his arms around her and breathed her in. "The feeling is mutual."

"Do you think it's possible to be addicted to a person?" Olivia asked.

Elliot laughed. "I probably would have said no before I met you…but now I know it's possible."

Olivia pulled back to look at him. "What happens now?"

Elliot shrugged. "I don't think we have to make any decisions yet."

"Don't we?" Olivia asked cocking her head to the side.

"No…" He said shaking his head. "Right now…I think we should just sit…together." He whispered. "And just…enjoy the fact that we aren't thousands of miles apart."

"We can do that? We can just sit here together?" She asked.

Elliot laughed. "I don't see why not…"

She smiled. "I'd like that…"

He nodded. "Well good…you want a beer?"

"I thought you'd never ask." Olivia said smiling.

"Why don't you go sit on the balcony…it's a nice day." Elliot said walking towards the slider door.

Olivia sat down and looked out at New York, she had never been so happy to be home. "I didn't realize how much I loved this city until I was gone…"

Elliot sat down beside her and handed her a bottle. "Yeah there is something about it that makes it hard to leave…"

She looked over at him as she took a sip of her beer. "Did you ever think about leaving?"

Elliot shrugged. "Kathy wanted to move a few times…we talked about moving upstate or even going to a different state. But I always found an excuse not to leave…"

"California is beautiful…don't get me wrong." She said taking another sip. "The sun is always shining and the sky is always blue. It's warm…the scenery is unbelievable. But…it just didn't feel right."

"Soy you're saying you prefer a dark, gloomy, dirty city that in the winters is so cold you think you'll die just walking outside for more than a minute?" He teased.

Olivia laughed. "That is paradise to me."

Elliot nodded. "Well then I guess it doesn't take much to make you happy."

Olivia rolled the bottle in her hands. "This is where I grew up…New York City is a part of who I am. I think visiting other places is nice…but I can't imagine living anywhere else. If I ever have kids…I want to raise them here. It's the city of possibility…sure there is a lot of bad things that happen here but there's hope too. That's something that I love."

"You're right." Elliot said. "It is the city of possibilities…" He took another sip of the beer. "So tell me about your partner out west…"

Olivia sighed. "He was an ass…this one victim was to scared to tell us what happened to her. And he just started screaming at her…she had only been there for five minutes. I know it's true that victims lie sometimes…but there was no reason to believe that she wasn't telling the truth. He just didn't care about the victims…he was just on a power trip."

"I hate cops like that." Elliot said shaking his head. "I can get impatient with victims and perps but…at the end of the day until I see other wise I will always treat a victim cautiously."

"Exactly." Olivia said. "He said that's not how they did things in California…he called me sweet cheeks." She said groaning. "Prick."

Elliot laughed. "He called you sweet cheeks and you didn't castrate him?"

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Don't think it didn't cross my mind…"

"Oh I'm sure it did…" He said laughing. "I think I called you a chick once…and you threw a coffee pot at my head."

Olivia smirked. "Yeah well…you should have known better."

Elliot nodded. "Touché."

Olivia licked her lips and looked out at the city. "This is nice…" She whispered. "I missed how easy it was to talk to you."

Elliot stared at her for a moment. "You can't talk like this with Jake?"

She shrugged. "We talk…but it's just…different."

Elliot nodded. "That's how it was with Kathy…it always felt strange talking to her like this."

"You were right…you asked me if seeing you with Kathy made me pick Jake." Olivia paused for a moment. "I hate to say it…but it kind of did."

"Why?" Elliot asked.

"I just remembered how much it hurt seeing the two of you together…" Olivia said staring at him. "I just got scared…I didn't want to get sucked into that drama again. I thought it would be easier to just move on…"

"You mean move away…" He whispered.

She nodded. "Yeah…that too."

"I thought about going to California to beg you to come back." Elliot said honestly.

"You did?" Olivia asked curiously. "But you didn'td…"

He shook his head and took another swig of his beer. "Because I thought it would be better to let you go…I thought I'd done enough damage."

"If we're being honest…if you had come to California…I probably wouldn't have come back here with you." She said. "I'm to stubborn…"

Elliot smiled. "Oh I know that…"

She laughed. "I guess it's just something I had to figure out for myself…"

Elliot stared at her for a moment. "So are you telling me you aren't going back to California?" He asked hopefully.

Olivia sighed. "Well I mean I guess I have to go back and get my stuff…and I'll need to talk to Jake. He deserves to hear it from me…" She whispered before turning back to him. "But yeah…I'm not going back. I want to come home…this is where I belong."

Elliot looked at her and then a huge smile grew on his face. "What made you decide to come back?"

Olivia smiled back. "As much as I hate to say that there plan worked…" She whispered. "Seeing you…and being in that dress…" She shook her head and looked out at the city again. "I realized…I want to get married someday. But not to Jake…"

Elliot continued to stare at her even though she wasn't looking at him, he cleared his throat. "So does that mean…you want to marry me someday?"

Olivia turned to look at him slowly, a nervous expression on her face. "I'm saying that if I ever do get married…you're the only person that I would want to walk down the aisle with."

Elliot smiled and took a sip of his beer again before looking out at the city. "Okay."

Olivia laughed. "Okay? That's all you have to say?"

Elliot laughed and looked over at her. "Uh…I honestly don't know what to say to that."

Olivia swallowed hard. "Why? Do you not want to get married again?" She asked nervously.

Elliot quickly realized his mistake and turned his body towards her. "Oh no! No…that's not what I meant." He said shaking his head. "I do want to get married again someday…and you're the only person I can see myself marrying. I just…"

"What?" She asked softly leaning towards him in her chair.

Elliot smiled at her for a moment. "I guess I can't actually believe this is happening right now…I really thought that I ruined my chances with you."

Olivia slowly reached her hand over to where's his was on his lap before taking it in her hand. "I don't now what happens now…there are still things we need to talk about and figure out. I don't want to rush into anything…but I do know that I want to be with you. If you are angry with me for leaving…I understand. But…if you still want me…then tell me now. Don't wait for another thirteen years to pass us by…"

Elliot stared at her for a moment before lifting himself off his chair; he put his beer down and then knelt down in front of her. She seemed confused by his actions, but he didn't feel like explaining. He figured the best way to convey his feelings to her was by showing rather than telling her.

Slowly he leaned forward and captured her lips with his. It wasn't their first kiss…but it was the kiss that signified the beginning of their relationship.

When Elliot pulled away, Olivia stared at him for a moment. "I love you." She said simply. "I love you so much."

Elliot smiled. "I love you too Liv…I always have. And I'm sorry I waited so long to tell you…I should have told you everyday since the day we met. I'm not angry…you did what you thought was right. I couldn't have expected you to just fall into my arms after everything I've put you through. I won't say it didn't hurt like hell to watch you go…but it was what you needed to do to know that we belong together."

"So we're okay?" She asked softly.

Elliot laughed. "We're more than okay."

Olivia sighed happily and leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I missed you."

"You have no idea how much I've missed you." Elliot said holding her close. "Nothing makes sense without you."

"Is it wrong that I feel so insanely happy right now?" Olivia asked. "I hate to even mention his name…but Jake was good to me. And he's been so nervous about my relationship with you…now I have to tell him all his fears were valid."

Elliot sighed and pulled away from her. "He's not going to be happy…maybe I should come to California with you."

She shook her head. "No. That would just make it worse…and Jake would never hurt me. He'll be angry…and hurt but he won't do anything to me."

"Are you sure about that?" Elliot asked.

She nodded. "I know Jake…he's not that kind of guy."

"Love can make people do crazy things." He said shrugging.

"Elliot…" She whispered. "This is something I need to do alone."

Elliot stared at her for a moment and then sighed. "Fine…just promise me one thing."

"What?" She asked curiously.

"Promise me that when you get out there you won't fall in love with him again and stay." He said.

She smiled. "I promise that won't happen. I'm coming home this time…for good."

Elliot nodded. "Alright then."

She smiled at him just as her phone rang, she pulled it out of her pocket and laughed. "It's Casey."

"Don't answer it." Elliot said shaking his head. "You know she is with Munch and Fin…they're just waiting to see if we made up or are fighting. Make them sweat a little."

"They meant well…" Olivia said laughing. "There delivery wasn't that good but…what do you expect from them?"

"Are you going to come back to work with us too?" Elliot asked. "Because I can't stand being alone with Fin and Munch. They drive me insane."

Olivia smiled. "As long as Cragen gives me my job back yes."

"Good." Elliot said standing up before sitting down next to her again.

"You know that we can't be partners anymore though…" She whispered as she watched Elliot tense at her words. "IAB will never allow it…"

Elliot reached for his beer and took a sip. "It'll be strange…"

She nodded. "Yeah it will be. But…it'll be worth it right?"

Eliot looked over at her. "I think so."

"You know…I really expected you to hate me after I left." Olivia said honestly. "Why are you being so calm about this right now?"

Elliot smiled. "I'm just happy that you're here…"

"So you're not going to hold this against me in ten years are you?" She teased.

Elliot chuckled. "Nah. Not this."

"You're not so innocent yourself there buddy…" She said raising an eyebrow at him.

Elliot smiled. "Trust me…I know."

"There's something I've always wanted to ask you…" She whispered.

"Shoot." He said leaning back in his chair.

"The Gitano case…" She said bracing the subject slowly knowing it was a touchy topic with them. "Why did you think I would take the shot?"

Elliot had no idea what she was going to ask, but he didn't expect this. "I don't know…"

"Yes you do…" She whispered.

Elliot sighed. "I guess…I didn't think you cared that much."

She stared at him for a moment. "You're kidding right?"

"Liv that was just a really confusing time for me…Kathy and I were falling apart. I hadn't seen my kids in forever…I was vulnerable. The way I saw it I was alone in the world. So when Gitano held that gun to my head…I think in a small way I was ready to die." He said honestly. "I think subconsciously I kind of wanted you to take the shot because I was just so tired of hurting…"

"You could have talked to me…" She whispered. "I tried…but you just shut me out."

Elliot smiled. "You know me…I don't talk about my emotions and I definitely don't talk about my family."

"You're doing a pretty good job talking about it now." She said. "What's changed?"

Elliot shrugged. "The kids are older…I'm older. I guess I've just learned with age and experience. And when I finally told you how I felt I realized I should have been honest years ago instead of waiting. I guess I don't want to wait for things to happen anymore…I just want too take control of my life while I can."

"That's incredibly honest of you." She said smiling. "You have grown up."

"Only because you forced me too…" He said laughing.

She shrugged. "You're welcome."

He stared at her for a moment as she watched the city, he felt comfortable talking to her but he suddenly wanted more. He didn't want to push her or pressure her into anything she wasn't ready for…but he had to kiss her again.

"Olivia?" He asked slowly.

She looked over at him and smiled. "Yeah?"

He stood up again and stood in front of her, offering a hand to her. "Come here…"

Olivia looked at his hand and then back at his face, she felt nervous but excited. She didn't know where this was going…but she had missed him so damn much she wanted to find out. She took his hand and let him pull her to her feet. She licked her lips and then let her eyes meet his for a moment, looking for a sign.

"Is this okay?" Elliot asked cupping her face gently with one of his hands. "I know technically you're still with Jake and I don't want to pressure you."

Olivia looked down at the ring that was still on her finger. "I've never cheated on anyone before…"

"We don't have too…" He whispered shaking his head. "I'll respect that if that's what you want."

She sighed. "I want you."

Elliot smiled. "The feeling is mutual."

"But I think…" She paused. "As stupid as it sounds…I want to wait. Just until Jake and I are officially broken up. It just wouldn't feel right and I want this…I want us…to be perfect."

Elliot inhaled deeply. "Okay."

"Do you hate me?" She asked laughing.

He smiled. "No…" She raised an eyebrow skeptically. "I don't. I swear…I can wait…"

"You sure?" She asked taking his hand that had been holding her face.

Elliot nodded. "Yeah…are you going to leave now though?"

"Only if you want me too." She said shaking her head.

"I don't' want you too." He said. "I want you to stay…I'm fine with just sitting and talking…as long as we're together."

Olivia smiled. "Sounds perfect."

"Can you do one thing for me though?" He asked nervously.

"Anything." She said nodding her head.

"Can you take the ring off?" He asked. "Every time I look at it…it just kind of kills me inside."

Olivia looked down at her hand and stared at the ring for a moment before slipping it off her finger and putting it in her pocket. "Better?"

Elliot sighed happily and nodded. "Much." He paused for a second and watched as she looked down at her bare finger. "It's okay if you're upset about this…I understand."

Olivia looked up at him and smiled. "El it's not that I don't want to be with you…because I do. But Jake was good to me…he's the first guy that ever made me feel like I was worth being loved. I'm taking a risk here being with you…only because you know me better than anyone. We know exactly how to hurt each other…I mean really hurt each other."

"I won't do that to you." Elliot said shaking his head. "Not again. I know what it feels like to lose you now…and I don't ever want to feel that again."

She sighed. "I did want to get married…"

Elliot nodded. "And you will…I'll get a ring on that finger if it kills me."

She smiled. "You mean it?"

Elliot smiled. "Yes. Someday…hopefully soon…I'm going to officially make you Olivia Stabler."

"What makes you think I'll take your last name?" She teased.

"Oh…" He whispered sadly. "I mean I didn't-"

She laughed and hugged him close. "I was kidding. Olivia Stabler has a nice ring to it…don't you think?"

"Definitely." He said holding her tight. "Sounds perfect."

Olivia pulled back and smiled at Elliot before walking back into his apartment. "Where's your wallet?"

Elliot laughed. "Why?"

"Because I've seriously missed New York pizza and you're paying." She said turning back to smile as she picked up his phone.

Elliot smiled at her as she sat down on the couch making herself comfortable. In a million years…he would never have expected her to show up like this today. There was still the matter of dealing with Jake to handle…but he felt happy. Just seeing her was enough to make him smile, but to hold her in his arms and even sneak in a kiss…now that was perfection. It didn't matter that she left anymore...because right now she was here and that's all he needed to know. She wanted him, she loved him, she was breaking up with Jake and moving back to New York City and he would never let her leave again.

I'll try and update soon okay? Let me know what you think of this chapter though of course. :) Much loveeee