AN: I got mostly positive reviews from the last chapter. But hey, you can't make everyone happy and the minute you try, you sacrifice yourself as a writer and as an individual. That being said, if you're still reading this, I hope it's because you're still enjoying it. I continually appreciate all honest feedback, positive or negative so drop me a line people. Here we go.

"Get out."

They've fought before. And it's not the first time it's gotten nasty. But as she sits on her sofa, hands rubbing her temples, she can't figure out why such a simple inquiry into his behavior turned so ugly, so fast.

Deciding not to obsess over it, Olivia wipes her tears and takes advantage of the fact that Noah's still napping in his crib. She soaks the ache between her thighs in a hot bath and changes into more comfortable clothes. They won't be going out again today so yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt is in order.

She cleans the counter and has the sandwich she didn't get a chance to finish making before the sounds of her son waking are audible through the baby monitor.

After feeding her little guy a snack of apple sauce, they play games of peek-a-boo, start a wheels-on-the-bus round and sing several other nursery rhymes before she breaks out Noah's big book of fairy tales.

Olivia tells him about worlds of magic, of dragons and castles in faraway lands. She does the voices of strange and wonderful creatures and delights in his babbling as he listens excitedly, periodically trying to turn the pages himself.

Late afternoon morphs into early evening when she notices it's gotten dark.

"I think it's time mama tries to tackle dinner huh?" She asks after he loses interest. "That means playpen time for you my friend."

Olivia stands with the baby on her hip, and then places him into his pen before moving it a bit closer to the television. Alex clued her in on the awesome world of the Baby TV channel for Noah. It's entertaining, educational and a sufficient distraction for him when he doesn't want to stay in his pen and play with his toys.

It works 98% of the time and thank God, today is one of those days. He doesn't make much of a fuss after something he likes comes on.

The sergeant found the recipe for linguini and spicy shrimp in a cookbook she hadn't opened in a while and decided to try it. The recipe calls for jalapenos but she'll be leaving them out for Noah's sake.

After bringing a pot of water to a boil, Olivia adds the pasta then begins grating a lemon before squeezing a small amount of juice from it. She's snapping the tough ends from asparagus spears when there's a knock on her door.

Upon opening it, she finds Elliot standing on the other side of the threshold attempting to hide a bouquet of her favorite flowers behind his back.

"Can I come in?"

Olivia doesn't respond, just leaves the door open as she goes back to cooking. She watches from her purview in the kitchen as he removes his jacket and hangs it on the coat rack near the door.

He's changed from his worn jeans and Rangers sweatshirt, into a USMC t-shirt and sweat pants. She suspects he showered and changed, more than likely after a punishing workout for as long as he's been gone.

They both needed the time to cool off.

"Hey, look who's up," Elliot says to Noah as he bends down to kiss the top of his head.

After greeting the little guy he continues pass the play pen, taking a seat on the stool opposite the counter from Olivia as he holds the flowers in his lap. She hopes he's as uncomfortable as he looks.

"You're making dinner?"

"Yeah," she answers, tamping down the desire to answer sarcastically at the obvious question.

But that would be just as childish as she accused him of being earlier with his pouting and she won't be a hypocrite.

She grabs the butter out the fridge and the salt and garlic from a nearby cabinet. "Saw a recipe yesterday that I wanted to try."

He watches her dicing vegetables and sautéing shrimp for a few minutes before deciding to attempt a conversation.

"Liv, about earlier-

"Let's just…table this talk for after dinner," she suggests. "Okay?"

He nods understandingly, agreeing to the moratorium on a much needed conversation. "I got these for you," he says sheepishly.

Olivia accepts them without a word. She pauses in her cooking to put them in a vase yet gives him no indication of gratitude.

Grateful for the simple fact that she let him through the door instead of slamming it in his face, he doesn't comment on her silence.

Elliot slides off the stool and returns to the living room for Noah. He picks him up out the play pen, sitting him in his lap as they entertain themselves with the dancing cartoons on the TV. She watches as he plays with her son, blowing strawberries on his belly and making him giggle.

With that image before her, it's a challenge to stay angry. Then again, she's had a good amount of practice holding a grudge.

"Whew," Olivia hears him say. "Did someone have too many grapes?" He asks the brown haired boy as he sniffs at his butt. "Wow," he says, to her amusement. "You are ripe my little friend."

Elliot gathers the baby, turns the television off, walks past the kitchen and into the bedroom to change him while she finishes dinner. Olivia places the pasta dish on two plates and carries them to the dining table. She then returns to grab a pitcher of green apple green tea and the bowl of sliced bread to compliment the meal.

By the time the guys come back, she has Noah's high chair pulled up to the table.

"This smells great Liv."

"Thanks," she says simply as Elliot places him into his seat to be fed.

Olivia takes turns feeding her and Noah, eating one bite for every three minced forkfuls she gives him.

It's the quietest meal they've had since becoming a couple.

After they finish, Elliot offers to clear the table and clean up the kitchen. Olivia doesn't bother arguing and takes Noah into the bedroom to put him in the bathtub.

She allows him to play and splash his little heart out knowing he'll tire enough to get sleepy eyed. They go through their nightly routine of the baby massage with his lavender and chamomile Baby Magic calming lotion before she dresses him in his PJs. She sits against the headboard and allows his pudgy little fingers to wrap around a lock of her hair as she's rocking him, letting the sandman stake his claim. Minutes later she's laying him in his crib.

"Sleep well my sweet boy," she says, kissing his forehead before leaving to join Elliot in the living room.

Olivia returns to find all the lights out save for the lamp near the television and him sitting on the sofa. He's poured two glasses of red, offering one to her as she joins him.

"Thanks," she says, taking a sip before placing it on the table.

Each takes a corner of the sofa as they regard one another. She sits with her back against one arm of the couch, a leg folded beneath her, the other on the floor. Elliot sits wide-legged against the furniture cushions, hands clasped together with his focus on the carpet.

"I'm ready to listen," Olivia tells him. "What's going on with you?"

He takes a deep breath, turns towards her to respond. It's a question he's been thinking about how to answer since she kicked him out. In a gesture Olivia hasn't seen in a long time, he worries his bottom lip before responding.

"The usual," he answers honestly. "Jealousy, possessiveness, and my general level of petty bullshit."

"El-

"But most of all," he interrupts. "I think it was…insecurity," he admits.

"I don't get that," she says, reaching for and taking another sip from her wine glass. "I mean…I haven't given you a single reason not to trust what we have, no to trust me."

"I know."

"So why?"

"I know it's irrational," he begins, taking a drink. "But with how much I hurt you when I left, I feel like sooner or later you're gonna want to return the favor."

Olivia shakes her head in disbelief and takes her own deep breath.

"We've been together for months now Elliot," she starts. "And you think I've done what, confessed to being in love with you, and discussed marriage, so that I could…kick you to the curb for revenge?" She asks, her voice slightly raised.

"No," he contends. "Of course not."

"Then what?" She asks forcefully.

"I told you it was irrational Liv," he answers. "I just…I saw you and the former Executive ADA and-

"Lost your damned mind?"

"Something like that."

"I forgave you for the way you left," Olivia begins. "And David and I have been over for years," she informs him.

"But it wasn't by choice."

"Of course it was," she contends. "We both chose to keep doing our jobs."

"Come on Liv," he starts. "That's not the same as one of you breaking up with the other," he points out. "And you didn't even tell David who I was just, 'this is Elliot Stabler'."

"I called you 'babe', kissed you on the lips," she reminds him. "You put your arm around my waist," she adds. "You'd have to be an idiot not to realize we're together."

"Men are stupid," Olivia thinks. And this conversation is giving her a headache. She rubs her temples, takes a cleansing breath and closes her eyes for a moment before continuing.

"I caught Donaldson kissing you," she begins. "And I gave you the freaking benefit of the doubt because I trust you," she continues. "And all you did was see a couple of meaningless friendly gestures from David and this is what I get?"

"Liv-

"Shut. Up," she says, standing from the sofa.

His eyes widen slightly but he doesn't utter another word. Just clenches his jaw so tight that she can see the muscles in his face.

"It was you who wanted back into my life," she reminds him. "If I wanted to be with David Haden or anyone else I wouldn't have allowed that," she contends, beginning to pace. "And I sure as hell wouldn't have allowed you near my son."

"Liv I-

Olivia stops moving and cuts him off with one look. He's silent again.

"Do you trust me?" She asks.

"Yes."

"Do you love me?"

"More than my own freaking life."

"Then get your shit together," she tells him abruptly. "If you're in a crappy mood because of work, or because you're missing your kids or for whatever reason, either you talk to me about it like an adult or you make an appointment with your shrink," she suggests.

"Got it."

"But you do not try to come over here with some lame assed, 'it's just me being me' bullshit and actually expect me to believe it," she throws in. "I've known you too long for that."

"I know," he nods again, head down like a puppy being scolded for peeing on the new rug. "You're right."

"And if you ever speak that disrespectfully to me again," she warns. "Put my key in the mail and forget where I live."

Elliot's head pops up and she sees him swallow harshly with that last statement. Feeling she sufficiently has gotten her point across Olivia changes gears.

"Listen to me," she begins, taking a much needed breath. "I'm not in love with David," she says straightforwardly, sitting next to him. "We chose our careers over whatever was growing between us," she adds. "And that's something you and I could never bring ourselves to do," she reasons. "Now what does that tell you?"

"That…I'm not your second choice?"

She lays a hand on his knee, momentarily rubbing it with her thumb before saying, "You're my only choice," she declares. "Your sole competition is whatever crazy voice you have inside your head telling you otherwise."

Elliot exhales a sigh of relief and covers her hand with his own, intertwining their fingers as he closes his eyes. The gentle gesture is a total 180o from how he treated her before.

"I'm sorry for all the stupid shit I said," he tells after meeting her eyes again. "I hope I didn't make you feel-

"Like you were calling me a slut?"

"Yes," he hesitantly admits. "And I can't apologize for that enough," he goes on. "It was uncalled for and I was way the hell out of line for even letting those things come out of my mouth."

She feels the sincerity in his voice, sees it in his eyes. But as much as she'd like to just kiss and make up, his words resonate in her ears and it still stings.

"Thank you," Olivia responds, walking to the coat rack to retrieve his jacket. "And for the flowers too," she adds, looking at the Asian lily filled vase on the kitchen counter.

"You kickin' me out again?" He asks, sliding his arms into the sleeves.

"Yes," she answers. "You said some pretty hurtful things today Elliot," she explains. "And I can't just…lay next to you with those words still echoing in my head."

He scrubs his hand down his face, angry with himself.

"You're right," he agrees. "I can't believe I let a kiss on the cheek and a business card turn me back into the same selfish, angry son of a bitch I've worked so hard to get rid of," he acknowledges, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "And the fact that I hurt you again..."

Things are silent between them as they think about all they've said to one another. Elliot studies her tan carpet while she eyes the bookshelf, both momentarily lost in thought.

"If we're gonna go forward," Olivia starts, interrupting the quiet.

"If?" He asks, snapping his head up to meet her eyes.

"This can't happen again Elliot," she warns, trying not to let his pained expression move her to immediate forgiveness. "What we have is so real, so tangible that people saw it even when we couldn't," she adds. "And the only ones that can ruin what we've found…is us."

"I get that now," he tells her. "The way I behaved, the things I said…apparently I haven't progressed as far as I thought," he goes on. "So…I'll be making an appointment with Dr. Crawley."

"Sounds like a step in the right direction," she agrees. "For both of us."

"I agree," He says, then takes a deep breath before saying, "And I'm gonna try my damndest to make this up to you."

"Okay."

Olivia follows him to the door and they stop just before he lays his hand on the knob. He turns to face her, wrapping his arms around her back as Olivia's instinctively go to his waist.

"I love you," Elliot whispers, resting his forehead against hers. "So much," he adds. "And the thought of losing you scares the hell out of me."

She pulls back, lays a hand to the side of his face and says, "Then don't lose me."

Elliot lifts her palm from his face and plants a short kiss there before descending his mouth to hers, doing the same.

"Please don't let me," he breathes against her lips before leaning away. "Because if you didn't know already, you're it for me Benson."

When he says things like that, it's hard for Olivia to send him home, especially when she looks up and finds the moisture of unshed tears glistening in his eyes. The man that spoke to her so harshly is gone. In his place again is the man she's fallen in love with, rendering Olivia speechless, and an emotional lump in her throat.

Elliot raises his mouth to her forehead, kissing it before whispering, "I'll call you."

"Okay," she manages.

He releases her, opens the door and closes it quietly behind himself. As he walks towards the elevator, he tries to figure out how the hell he's going to get them back to the solid ground they were on just 24 hours ago.

************************************* The In-Betweens ************************************

The next morning, Olivia awakens to the sound of a text message. In seeing it's from Elliot she immediately opens it.

It's an audio file.

She clicks on it to find a song playing. Turning it down so as not to wake up Noah, she listens and can't help smiling.

Lying beside you, here in the dark,

Feeling your heart beat with mine.

Softly you whisper, you're so sincere,

How could our love be so blind?

Journey's Open Arms

One night they were talking about their high school days. They'd discussed her crazy colored locks, ripped jeans and the best power ballads played by the big "hair bands" of the 80's. When Olivia confessed to loving the song, Elliot had promptly looked it up on his iPod and they'd danced to it three times in their stocking feet.

Once the song stops, she looks at her phone to find that she has another text message.

Elliot: The story of us.

Olivia begins to wonder what he's up to when she gets another message. This time it's a picture of the market down the street. She doesn't have to wait long for an explanation.

Elliot: The place my heart started beating again.

Olivia: My bodega.

It's where they'd bumped into each other after not talking for three years. Olivia can recall how much she'd wanted to punch him or roll over his foot with her cart. Anything but allowing him to explain his abrupt absence. How different things would be if she hadn't.

Olivia: I almost told you to go to hell that day.

Elliot: I'm so glad you didn't.

Over the next ten minutes he sends her text after text connecting the dots of how they transitioned from former work partners to partners in life.

He sends her a picture of the bottle of Jameson they'd shared after Lewis' trial. Though it was the wrong time, it was the night he told her that he wanted more than friendship. She had felt guilty for almost having sex with him, but now she can see that their connection was simply undeniable.

She's amazed she held out for as long as she had after breaking up with Brian, but she needed to be sure. And she is.

Elliot: A rough day for us both.

Olivia: Very.

Elliot: I didn't think I'd ever see you again.

Olivia: Neither did I.

The next text is a picture of Alfred Hitchcock.

They'd watched one of his movie marathons together on her couch the night that psychopath decided to blow his brains out. She confessed to her secret crush on Carey Grant and Elliot came clean about his on Grace Kelley when Rear Window came on. Olivia remembers falling asleep against his shoulder and waking up to his blue eyes.

She was warm, safe and could've slept next to him all night.

Elliot: Sometimes I wish I wouldn't have woken you.

Olivia: Me too.

He was there when they wanted to try to indict her for William Lewis' murder and again when they decided not to. The fact that he consistently showed up when she needed him most is what made her decide to give him, them, a shot.

The message he sends her next is simple.

Elliot: 05/07/14

Olivia: ?

Elliot: The day you decided to give me a 2nd chance.

Doing so wasn't in Olivia's plan that night. Her mission was to get home and eat her leftover gazpacho. But she felt as if she was leaving him on the hook with her indecisiveness so she drove to Brooklyn. She was going to tell him she didn't think she'd be able to forgive him for how he left. But then he changed her mind.

Elliot: I hope you're still not regretting me.

Olivia: I won't lie, yesterday hurt. But No. I'm not.

A neck tie is the next pictured text. She recalls it very fondly. Olivia's never enjoyed someone else's birthday so much in her whole damn life. The romantic dinner, the dancing and laughter, showing her how he welcomed Noah into his home by redoing Eli's bedroom to accommodate her son. And finally, the way they'd made love. It was all just so…perfect.

Elliot: The first time we said those three words.

Olivia: I was scared to say it first.

Elliot: You've always been the brave one.

It was the first time she told him she loved him, was in fact in love him. And though he'd been saying it in a million other ways, he'd told her he too felt the same.

Olivia: Will I be getting more of these?

Elliot: No. I've got other plans.

Disappointment sets in quickly for her but as usual, she'll pretend otherwise.

Olivia: Oh, you going to see Eli?

Elliot: Not those kind of plans.

She's intrigued now. They've come to this weird place where though they've made up, he knows she hasn't forgiven him yet. The 'I love you but I'm still hurt and angry' stage. It's not something that Olivia has been through with him and in the past it's usually led to her breaking up with a man.

But she's never given herself over so completely to someone before Elliot. The love they have is a once in a lifetime kind of thing and she's not willing to give it up so quickly. And being the imperfect person that she is, one day she may do something to him that's hard to forgive or at the very least hard to forget.

Olivia has to admit that this morning's texts were original. Sweetly reminding her of what they've shared so far as a couple was a very thoughtful idea. Most guys would've just stopped at flowers, gone with jewelry or some other materialistic way to buy her forgiveness. But he said he was going to try to make amends and he's off to a good start.

Her thoughts are interrupted by several knocks to her front door. Noah's still sleeping so she grabs her robe and moves quietly passed his crib. In looking through her peep hole, Olivia's surprised to find that it isn't Elliot but a guy in a ball cap with a restaurant's logo, holding a brown bag.

"Who is it?" She asks through the door.

The young man looks down at the receipt stapled to the bag then says, "Delivery for an Olivia Benson from George's diner."

Her favorite neighborhood greasy spoon.

"I didn't order anything," she tells him. "Who paid for it?"

Just then she hears her phone in the pocket of her robe, alerting her to another text message.

Elliot: You hungry?

"Uh, the receipt says somebody named Stabler ordered online," delivery guy answers. "It's an egg white veggie omelet with a side of turkey bacon," he continues.

The only thing missing is…

"Oh, and a kid sized cup of fruit," he concludes.

'He's thought of everything,' Olivia thinks as she opens the door.

"This smells wonderful," she says, accepting the food. "Let me get you a tip."

"Already taken care of ma'am," he informs her. "Have a good day."

Olivia barely gets out a, "Thanks, you too," before he rushes off.

She hears the baby waking shortly after and prepares to get their day started with breakfast. Noah enjoys the fruit in his high chair and between bites of her delicious omelet, she sends Elliot a text thanking him for his thoughtfulness.

Elliot: You're welcome.

In putting on a pot of coffee, she's disappointed to find there's no more peppermint mocha creamer in the fridge. When she hears another knock on the door, she's certain this time that it has to be Elliot.

It's not.

"Who is it?" She asks again as she checks the peep hole.

"Delivery for Olivia Benson," says a guy wearing a green apron from the market down the street.

"I didn't order anything," she repeats.

"Somebody named Elliot called it in," he explains.

Olivia opens the door and accepts the grocery sack from him.

"Has the tip been taken care of?"

"Yep," he answers. "Have a good day."

"You too," she says with a smile before closing the door.

The bag contains several items that were on a short list left beneath a magnet on her refrigerator door. Elliot must've noticed it while she was cooking dinner last night. An expected text message sets her phone off again. He's genuinely working on earning her forgiveness.

Elliot: Did your creamer come?

Olivia: Among other things. Thank you.

Though she wants to, she's not going to ask if he's coming over today. It's a strange thing to simultaneously need distance from the person you want to be around the most. A part of her is still offended and pissed from the things he said. But more than anything she just wants to get back to being them.

Elliot: Just doin' my penance.

Olivia: Should I expect more deliveries?

Elliot: Maybe. ;O}

Olivia: I appreciate the effort.

After cleaning up behind breakfast, she washes Noah's little cherub face and hands before doing the same for herself.

"I vote for a lazy Sunday," she says to him as he stands in his crib watching her. He claps his hands enthusiastically as if he understands what his mama is saying.

"I'll take that as a yes," Olivia tells him.

She exchanges her oversized t-shirt and yoga pants for a dark pair of ripped jeans and a matching V-neck sweater. Her phone rings again as she's carrying him into the living room and she's surprised to find Alex's name flash across the screen.

"Morning Alex," she says as she sits with Noah on the couch.

"Hey Liv, how's the munchkin?"

"He's great," the sergeant tells her as she tries to occupy his attention with his favorite giraffe. "Surprising me all the time."

"Ah the joys of motherhood," comments the blonde. "Just yesterday Gavin surprised me by taking his diaper off and handing it to me…wet."

Olivia laughs at the image of her friend being shocked and disgusted.

"At least it wasn't a poopy diaper," she reasons, trying to find the silver lining. "I'm sure it was just his way of telling you he needed to be changed."

"Yeah well, he could've taken it to Ethan," Alex says. "It's the only reason I keep him around."

"Sure," Olivia tells her. "You keep that gorgeous green eyed man around for the sole purpose of helping with diaper duty," she adds. "Not because he has that sexy Australian accent or anything."

"Okay," she agrees. "He is good for…other things."

The two woman laugh at the implications of the counselor's statement. Olivia's noticed that Alex is never happier than when her husband and son are around. She imagines she has that same glow when her two favorite guys are present.

"That's great," Olivia says. "I'm glad things are going well for you both."

"So am I," says Alex. "What about you?"

"Me? I'm okay."

"You know what I mean Liv, how are things going with that former partner of yours?"

"They're fine."

"I know what your 'fine' means," the counselor tells her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing…we just…ran into David Haden at the park yesterday," she reveals. "And when Elliot asked about a relationship later, I didn't lie to him."

"Why the hell not?"

"Alex-

"I'm an attorney Liv," she reminds her. "So normally I wouldn't advise anyone to lie but…"

"Lying doesn't usually work out too well for me Alex," Olivia reasons. "That wasn't an option."

"Really?" She asks. "And how did telling him the truth work out for you?"

"Not well," the brunette admits.

Olivia will spare her friend the details of the rough sex Elliot initiated on her kitchen counter last night that preceded the argument. Too much information.

"He said some pretty nasty things to me Alex," she tells hers. "I slapped him, put him out."

"Wow," she says. "Those must've been some damn harsh words."

"They were," Olivia painfully remembers.

"But you and David happened over two years ago," recalls the blonde. "Why would he be so angry about a man you haven't seen in so long, unless-

"I haven't seen him," Olivia interrupts, knowing how her friend's mind works. "I told Elliot as much but he seemed to think because we broke up involuntarily, that I'm just using him as a substitute until David decides to call me."

Seeing Noah beginning to chew on his toy, she decides to start lunch. She puts him down in his playpen with a couple of other things to entertain him before entering the kitchen.

"That's insane," says the counselor. "If anything, David was the distraction stemming from Elliot's abrupt and unexplained departure," she reasons. "And is he forgetting that your relationship with Cassidy was more recent?"

"Apparently Brian's not a threat because we chose to break up," she explains. "But then again, he's never seen him as competition."

"I can see that."

"Alex!"

"What? If had to choose between those two, I'm sorry Liv but as infuriating as he can be, I'd still choose Stabler."

Olivia smiles at her understanding.

"Me too," she says quietly.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Alex asks.

"You heard me," the sergeant answers. "And you don't have to sound so smug about being right."

She puts her friend on speaker phone so that she's free to get out the lettuce, chicken salad and croissants for herself and a bowl of mini mac and cheese for her son.

"There aren't too many humble attorneys around Liv," she excuses. "So have you two love birds made up?"

"He came back later to talk so we're not fighting anymore if that's what you mean," Olivia answers. "But he knows I haven't forgiven him yet."

She puts the small bowl of pasta in the microwave while she slices a croissant in two and spoons the delectable chicken in between. It's from her favorite deli, complete with finely diced celery, seedless grapes and red onions.

With the ding of the microwave she gets Noah from his playpen and transfers him to his high chair.

"You haven't made up until you have make-up sex," comments her blonde friend. "Those are the rules."

Olivia giggles at her friend's rationales.

"And what book did these rules come from?" She asks. "Because I'm pretty sure they aren't in any New York criminal code books that I've read."

"Maybe not, but it's the unspoken relationship code," answers the counselor, making her friend laugh some more. "Surely you've heard of this?"

"Of course," Olivia answers. "I think they teach it your freshman year of college," she jokes.

"Ha, ha."

"Anyway," she continues. "Elliot is clear on where he stands, he agreed that he was being an asshole, he knows I'm in love with only him," she tells her. "And he understands that I'm not gonna try to hurt him back. We're good."

"Wait. Hurt him back?"

"He's under the mistaken impression, that sooner or later I'm gonna pay him back for refusing to return my calls after he left," she explains. "As if I'd be that vindictive."

"Well," Alex begins. "He did break your heart."

"Yeah," Olivia confirms. "But I forgave him for that."

After cleaning up Noah and putting him down for his nap, she takes Alex off speaker to resume their conversation.

"Have you really?"

"Yes," she asserts. "It wasn't easy Alex but really I have."

"And what about this latest thing he's done?" Asks the counselor. "Where are you on forgiving him for that?"

She exhales, taking a deep breath before answering.

"We've talked about marriage," Olivia admits causing a gasp from her friend. "Calm down, there have been no proposals."

"Well, keep me posted on that," says Alex. "I'm gonna love being maid of honor."

"Focus," Liv tells her. "As I was saying, we've talked about marriage," she repeats. "And if we're gonna make one work, we have to be willing not only to communicate and compromise, but to forgive," she continues. "So I may still be a little hurt and a little angry but I'm gonna forgive him Alex."

"Spoken like you've already been down the aisle," comments her friend. "And every word of it is true. It's hard to do sometimes, but true none the less."

In the background Olivia can hear Ethan calling for her, telling Alex that it's time to go.

"Speaking of the old ball and chain…"

"You know you love him," says the sergeant.

"I do."

"Thanks for calling Alex," she tells her. "How's next Saturday sound for a play date with Gavin?"

"That works," agrees her friend. "You can drop him off at about 11am. And Liv?"

"Yeah?"

"Make-up sex."

"You're hopeless," Olivia says, laughing. "Goodbye Alex."

"Goodbye."

************************************* The In-Betweens ************************************

Olivia's on the couch, having gotten a couple of hours into a book she's been meaning to finish, before she hears the babbling sounds of Noah waking on the baby monitor. She listens for a few minutes because it sounds as if he's entertaining himself. Though more than likely he'll be going into a full blown holler in 3, 2, 1…

And there he goes.

After placing him in his high chair with a couple of toys, she turns on the television. She channel surfs, stopping when she comes across America's Worse Crimes.

She listens as an unidentified young woman recounts how she was savagely gang raped by someone she thought was a 'nice guy', plus all his friends.

"Okay Noah just to be clear," she says, feeding him his Cheerios. "You are not going to Hudson University," she continues.

The baby shakes his head defiantly as she offers him more food.

"No?" She asks. "What do you want? Hold on," she says, noticing him reaching for one of his little toys instead.

"I know this is difficult," says the host.

"Here you go sweetie," Olivia tells Noah, handing him the small toy.

"They called me a whore," the woman they're calling Jane Doe goes on. "They called me a slut," she adds. "They shoved me out the door like I was garbage."

"Did you call the police or campus security?"

"When I was up to it I went to the school," she answers. "They asked me if I had been drinking, if anyone could corroborate."

"Milk?" She offers the baby.

"It made me feel like…I'd made a bad decision that night and it was my fault."

Olivia's cell begins ringing. She's not happy when she sees the name of the person she wants to hear from the least flashing across the caller ID.

"Chief Dodds," she answers.

He asks if she's heard of the show.

"America's Worse Crimes? I'm actually just watching it."

Her boss continues, asking if she's familiar with the case the young girl on the show is talking about.

"No, I hadn't heard about it," she answers.

Olivia gets up to mute the television to hear him better.

"The mayor's wife was watching," she repeats. "Well that's…just…terrific," she says, unconvincingly.

When he asks if they plan on investigating it she tells him, "Yep, we're on it."

She unmutes the television, listening to the last of it before a commercial break.

"But for Jane, her ordeal had just begun," says the host. "More from this nightmare on campus when we return."

The last thing she wants to think about in her off time is work. On Mondays there is usually time to ease into her week. She gets more papers filled out and filed away on that day, more than any other. Unfortunately, that will not be the case tomorrow.

By the order of the chief and the mayor's wife too no doubt, they'll be diving head first into a shit storm of a case. Because if it's old enough to appear on America's Worse Crimes, then any hope of getting a rape kit, combing through poorly written campus police reports and vetting the alleged victims' statement are all things that are better done sooner rather than much later.

Or in this case, three months later.

Olivia's thoughts are disrupted by a series of knocks on her door. And this time, they are pleasantly familiar. In checking the peep hole, she smiles in recognition at the person she sees on the other side.

Elliot.

AN: I like that he's really trying. And I always enjoy when Alex offers her insight and words of wisdom, despite how unhelpful but funny they sometimes are. Whether or not you're still with me in this, I'd love to know what you're thinking.