Here it is, Chapter 11. How will Olivia react to what she now knows to be true? Will she be able to balance her loyalties to the job with her love for Elliot?

Read & review, as always, please!

Olivia dropped Elliot's hand and slowly made her way to her safe space, her sanctuary, her bedroom. With each step, she took a little bit of his heart with her. Although she was only meters away, it felt as though she was now so far out of reach that he may never be able to touch her again - the thought terrified him.

Once in her room, Olivia stood looking at her bed as flashbacks of the previous 48hrs flooded her mind. While her previous decisions seemed reckless at the time, given the information she just received, her past decisions seemed to be nothing less than self-destructive in the present context. Yet, to say she regretted it all would be inaccurate, even with the knowledge that she now had. It was all she ever wanted, but it came with all the wrong timing.

From the couch where he had been abandoned, Elliot's eyes followed Olivia's movements. He continued to watch her through the door which she left slightly ajar. He wanted so desperately to go to her, but the weight of nearly two decades of mistakes kept him firmly in his place. What are you doing dumbass? He thought to himself. You love her, go after her. She may be the queen of running away, but you're the king of confrontation, and if anything is worth fighting for, it's this. It's her. With those words fresh in his mind, he launched a cautious assault to regain her heart.

Though his mind was focussed, his movements were hesitant and his footsteps were silent as he slipped through the door that Olivia had left open behind her. As quiet as he had been, Olivia immediately felt his presence as he entered the room. After twelve years of partnership, there were some things that just didn't go away and their ability to be in each other's heads was certainly one of them. As Elliot closed the distance between them he was unsure of what to do next - he hadn't thought this far ahead. While he wanted nothing more than to hold her, he feared that his touch would do nothing but push her further away, and so his hand hovered. He held his unsure arm outstretched somewhere between his body and hers; between hurt and comfort; between lust and control. As he moved to retract his hand back to his side, Olivia, without looking, reached behind her and grabbed it and pulled him closer. While she sensed his proximity, his presence alone was not enough to comfort her. She needed to feel him in the flesh. They each closed their eyes and simultaneously let out a deep breath. Although neither of them knew it until that exact moment, this was what they both needed - each other.

Elliot took the opportunity to breathe her in from behind, placing his head in the space between her neck and shoulder while embedding his face in the loose strands of hair that fell by her ear. Meanwhile, Olivia took his hand up to her chest and held it to her bosom. She wanted him to feel her heartbeat. Elliot took this as an invitation to feel much more than that as he allowed her breast to sit perfectly in his palm. Before his hand could get comfortable. Olivia moved it yet again. This time she dragged it further south and placed it between her legs. She clutched his hand there. Previously she hoped he would feel her restless heart, but now she hoped he would feel her burning desire. As Olivia held his hand where she wanted it most, Elliot pressed himself into her from behind.

'Olivia?' Came his voice.

Her body went tense at the sound of his voice. It was ironic, up until the big revelation, all Olivia wanted to do was talk, but now she wanted nothing of the sort. The more they talked, the more real it would become and she wasn't ready for that yet. Elliot sensed her discomfort and so obliged with silence.

With his free hand, Elliot moved Olivia's hair to one side, clearing a path for him. He planted butterfly kisses on her neck. The type of kisses that were so gentle and tender that they tickled her inside. His kisses prompted a certain boldness in Olivia as she moved the hand which rested upon her crotch and guided it into her underwear. Elliot let out a small moan as his fingers became coated in her.

'Do you feel that? Nobody else does that to me. Nobody makes me wet like you do.'

Olivia's words triggered him and so he began to massage her the way she liked it most, in the place she needed it most. She threw her head back so that it rested on Elliot's broad shoulder behind her. Their heads rested cheek to cheek as their bodies swayed slightly from side to side. Olivia could feel a familiar firmness pressing into her from behind.

'Do you feel that… What you do to me?' Reciprocated Elliot with a question of his own.

Being in this situation felt right, yet somehow wrong, all at the same time. She needed to look at him. She needed to remind herself not just of who this man was that was holding her, but also of who she was. It had always been this eyes that provided her with the most honest reflection of herself. Maybe that was why she had been so lost without him for all these years. With that, she reluctantly relieved his hand from the work it was doing, removing it from her clothing and placing it on her hip as she turned around.

As soon as she faced him she was confronted with the red markings that decorated his neck. She hadn't noticed the aftermath of his brawl with Tommy until now, or maybe she had and just subconsciously chosen to ignore it. She was an expert at ignoring things after all - her partnership with Elliot had relied on her ability to ignore the obvious. She traced the red markings at the base of his neck with her fingers. Elliot flinched slightly as she touched him, it was an involuntary response that he struggled to understand. Physically, he had nothing to fear. Her touch was gentle, and although he felt vulnerable, he trusted that she wouldn't cause him pain. It was his emotions that truly scared him, the fear that she would realise that he was a mistake, that he was no good, that he was nothing but trouble. That's why he really flinched - he was scared that she was about to push him away.

'I wish I knew what you were thinking,' admitted Elliot.

The reality was that Olivia didn't even know what she was thinking. It was like they had switched roles. Now she was the tight-lipped, closed book and he was the needy one searching for the smallest hint of emotion. The longer Olivia's silence lasted, the more worried Elliot became until she placed her arms around his torso, pulled him in towards her and rested her head on his chest. As she listened to his heartbeat, she realised that in the moments since discovering the truth about Tommy Delfino, she had mistaken lust for love. She, as Elliot had done previously, was attempting to hide behind sex - but she didn't want that cycle to continue. She wasn't looking for intimacy of the body, she was looking for intimacy of the soul - and in that precise second, she found it.

'I love you,' her voice crackled.

Elliot closed his eyes and let out a breath of relief. If he could've physically held her closer, he would've. 'Yunno, that's the first time you've ever said that to me?' He said softly.

No, it's not. Was her brain's immediate response, but then she began to think… Although she had felt it for almost two decades… Although she had thought it many times over the past two days… Although she had heard him say it that morning... This was the first time that she said it out loud.

'I guess it is,' she confirmed looking up at him.

Her gaze gave him an inexplicable urge to smile. Despite the dark circumstances that brought them together, he was relieved to finally be in her arms in a way he had only dreamt of before. What frightened him was the idea that their solace wouldn't last. How could it? She was a cop first, after all - she always had been. And his son had just committed a murder, which he helped to cover up. This tale would have no happy ending… And with that thought, his smile faded away. She ran her hands up and down his back, attempting to comfort him.

'What are we going to do?' Whispered Elliot.

His voice was so desperate and vulnerable. In that moment, she realised that this was how it was always meant to be. All these years of being alone - the ordeals she had gone through, the tragedies she's faced - they made her strong beyond measure. She didn't need Elliot to protect her. It was the other way around, he needed her. She was the only one who was allowed to see this side of him. She took his hands and guided them over to her bed where she perched on the edge as he stood in front of her. It was time for more answers.

'Where is Tommy, Elliot? What did you do with the body?' She asked, holding his hands in hers, ensuring he couldn't run away.

'You don't need to worry about that. No one will ever find it.'

'You're sure?'

He nodded. 'It's strange… Some of the things the job teaches you.' The room grew silent as they both considered the more sinister aspects of their skill sets that had developed over the years.

'Then we do nothing.' Olivia's words broke the silence in the room and left Elliot with a confused expression. He looked at her, stunned in disbelief at what she had just said. 'No body, no crime.' She coldly reassured him. Her detachment was almost disturbing.

'I can't ask you to lie for me, Liv.'

'And I can't ask you to give up your son.'

'I know what the job means to you. I can't let you risk it all.'

'I won't lie. I just won't say anything.' While her career had been her life for a number of years, it always left a void in her heart. It wasn't until Noah came along that she understood how much she had been missing. And even then, it wasn't until Elliot was in her arms that she realised how incomplete she had still been. 'I'm not the same person you used to know, Elliot. I'm not married to the job like I used to be. I love it, but I'm a mother before anything else now. So if there's anything I can understand, it's the unconditional need you have to protect your son.'

Elliot knelt down in front of her placing a hand on each of her knees. 'The second it looks like there's heat coming your way, you tell them it was me. Do you understand?'

'Elliot, you can't expect me to…' Her sentence was still in progress when Elliot abruptly cut her off.

'You tell them it was me, Olivia. I can't let Dickie take the fall for this, and I won't drag you down with me. I'm thinking about my son, and you gotta think about yours because if this blows up, we're all fucked.' He paused as his mind filled with all the worst possible consequences that his actions could have. 'I don't want you around when they come looking for me… The cops or the Delfinos.' Olivia reluctantly nodded in response. She knew what he was saying made sense, even if she didn't want to agree with him.

'Well, hopefully, it won't come to that.' She brought her hands up to his cheeks and held his face directly in front of her. While she had originally planned to kiss him, she found that she was more than content just to look into those blue eyes. Even with the emotional turmoil that the present situation brought, she was still able to find solace in his stare. The way he looked at her forced a smile across her face.

'So lieutenant, are you gonna kiss me or just keep staring?' Elliot said in jest, although he hoped she would take his invitation seriously. Olivia let out a small snigger. He had always been the one who could provide her with light, even in the darkest of moments.

'I dunno, are you gonna call me lieutenant again?' She said playfully.

Now it was Elliot's turn to snigger. 'I dunno, are you gonna tell me you love me again… Lieutenant?'

With that, she planted her lips on his, before pulling him in for a hug and whispering in his ear: 'I love you, Elliot Stabler.'

For a moment they rested that way, her perched on the edge of the bed, and him kneeling on the floor between her legs. He loved being close to her, and as much as he wanted to stay like that forever, his body had other ideas. He wasn't as young as he used to be, and his knees simply wouldn't cope with the hard floor for much longer. Slowly, he rose to his feet and as he did, Olivia began to lie back on to the bed. His body followed her until there was nowhere left to go. He was on top of her, with his legs between hers, in a position that felt more natural that it should have considering how unfamiliar it was.

As his lips touched hers, he felt himself begin to melt into her as a surge of electricity travelled through his body. She took his breath away yet never felt more alive than when he was with her, touching her, holding her, kissing her… One of his hands rested by her head, supporting his weight as his mouth explored hers. Meanwhile, his other hand rested on her hip, pinning it to the bed. His assertion and dominance made her moan in his mouth. Elliot stood back on his feet only to give himself room to undo her belt and strip her bottom half. Olivia simultaneously reached to grab the bottom of her shirt and pulling it over her head before discarding her bra. Elliot stood over her naked body, knowing it was too much temptation. He didn't have the patience to remove all of his clothes before touching her again. He was desperate to feel her around him… Now.

With that thought, he hastily undid his buckle, unzipped his pants and pulled his waistband down just enough to expose himself before repositioning himself on the bed between her legs. His tip brushed against her causing her to let out a small groan. His lips searched to be reunited with hers as he allowed one of his hands to travel south to test if she was ready. He felt himself crumble as he did so - she was already so wet.

'Mmm… Lieutenant,' were the only words he could manage as he lifted one of her legs over his shoulder and positioned him at her entrance. To his surprise, it was Olivia that forcefully guided him into her, pulling him closer with her free leg. The relief they both felt was incredible. Elliot began to drive in and out of her, but before he could find any sort of rhythm he felt a hand on his chest, pushing him away.

'Elliot wait.' Her voice was a rude awakening from the bliss that he had become lost in. It took all his strength to stop what he was doing. He looked at her, confused and disappointed. 'Did you hear that?' asked Olivia.

In the distance, there was a knocking. Otherwise occupied, Elliot missed it the first time, but this time he heard it loud and clear. He glanced over to the nightstand, where the clock read 23:37. 'A little late for visitors isn't it? Are you expecting anyone?' He questioned.

'No, but whoever it is probably shouldn't see you here.'

'Don't answer it,' he pleaded - puppy dog eyes and all.

Before she could respond, another knock at the door made her decision for her. Elliot could tell by the look on her face that he was fighting a losing battle so proceeded to roll off her, defeated. Olivia sprung up and grabbed her silk robe and rushed to answer the door before the knocking woke Noah up. Before leaving her room she shot Elliot a look. It was one of those looks an owner gives a dog when they want it to stay. As she hastily moved through her apartment to the front door, she pondered who it could be. Before opening the door, she looked through the peephole. Finn!? What's he doing here? She thought.

'Sorry, I know it's late, but I saw your light was on... I was in the neighbourhood and I just thought I'd check in. I know it's been a tough couple days.'

'You were in the neighbourhood? Finn, you live on the other side of town.'

'What can I say, I took the scenic route home.' He laughed while she looked at him with an unimpressed smile.

'I thought you could do with a friend.' Finn said as he walked through her door and parked himself on her couch. 'What's going on with you, Liv? This is me you're talking to.' He was an observant, caring man who had always surprised her with his ability to see through the brave face she put on.

There was a part of her that wanted to tell him everything; to confess that she was scared; that she was out of her depth; that she didn't know what she was doing. But, with Elliot in the next room, all she wanted was for Finn to leave as soon as possible. 'Finn, this isn't really a great t…'

'I'm sorry Liv, I didn't realise I was intruding,' interrupted Finn. He blushed slightly as he began to piece the scene together in his head - the two glasses on the table and Olivia's unusually revealing robe were the only hints he needed. He uncomfortably edged himself to the door. 'Sorry. I'll go,' he awkwardly mumbled as he fumbled to open the door.

'It's okay Finn. I appreciate you stopping by,' she said, lightly touching his arm. 'We'll talk tomorrow.'

She waved as he walked away from her door, down the hall. She'd been lucky, but she knew it was only a matter of time before her secrets caught up with her. We'll talk tomorrow… If only she had the faintest idea of what she would say. As she went to close the door, an arm wrapped around her midriff. It was the familiar hold of a strong, passionate man who had unfinished business with her. She allowed her robe to fall open as she turned to face him. He pushed the silk material off her shoulders and allowed the robe to fall to the floor. The look on his face told her she wouldn't be getting much sleep that night, but what the hell - she hadn't been sleeping well anyway.

I hope you enjoyed a fairly easy going chapter - things are about to get a little dramatic for all in the upcoming chapters.

Thanks for reading.