Both of them being detectives meant finding time to be together, without having to go to work was proving rather difficult. It seemed that one of them was always on call and when Olivia wasn't. She had to study for her exam. Elliot was due in court today to testify on one of his cases, before entering he remembered that Olivia had her test and wanted to wish her good luck. Leaning against the black sedan waiting for his partner to arrive he quickly found Olivia's number to message her.

E: Good luck in your exam today babe.

His partner Martins had arrived and climbed into the passenger seat shouting at Elliot to do the same, Elliot looked over to him and seated himself in the drivers side. He was about to start the engine when he felt his pocket vibrate, knowing it was Liv he made an excuse to his partner about having to deal with something before they left. Begrudgingly, Martins agreed and resigned himself to waiting as Elliot exited the car. Instead of reading the message he dialed Olivia's number intent on leaving her a voicemail, he wanted her to hear his voice. Support her with more than just words. Guessing she probably wouldn't pick up the phone it seemed like the best option.

E: I know i've already text you but I wanted to wish you good luck again. I know you're gonna ace it because you were always the smart one in the partnership. Let me know how it went later, okay? Bye Liv.

Before fixing his phone into his back pocket he had a chance to read the text message Olivia had sent him just a few minutes before. Tapping on the message he couldn't help the smile that crept across his face.

O: Thank you. I'll need it.

O: Also… babe?

Noticing the second message was completed with a laughing emoticon he knew that Olivia was just playing around. It was one of the many things he loved about her. When you cracked the hard exterior there was tons of joy and humour to be found underneath. He drove to the courthouse and both men made their way inside. However, his mind was elsewhere as he planned to take Olivia out tonight. Cragen had given her the night off due to taking her exam and he was going to utilize it to its full potential.

Olivia knew that Elliot was going to be picking her up tonight for a date and had warned her to not dress up too much. Obviously the vagueness had her intrigued. She settled on a pair of blue jeans and a grey hooded sweatshirt for the evening, feeling that her outfit didn't look too relaxed but not dressy either. She finished tying her hair back after her shower when a knocked sounded at the door. Recognising it instantly to be Elliot she called for him to come in which he soon obliged.

Shutting the door behind him he realised the living room was empty but there were magazines and other items littered about indicating her presence. "Liv." He shouted trying to ascertain where she was.

"In here." she announced. Elliot figured her voice was coming from the bathroom and made his way towards it seeing the door ajar. He knocked tentatively on it not sure if his presence there was okay. Olivia placed her eyeliner down on the sink to open the door further for Elliot to join her. "I'm just finishing my makeup." Elliot smiled and she went back to her eyeliner and whatever else she had tucked away in the navy bag to her side.

Speedily applying her lipstick her attention turned to Elliot. "Where are we going tonight?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

Elliot's smile grew knowing she was itching to find what he had planned. "It's still a secret." He replied teasingly. Her smirked seeing Olivia trying to wrangle and answer out of him.

Grumpily Olivia zipped up her bag and pushed past him to return the item to her bedroom. "Fine." she replied, flashing back a charming smile in his direction.

Now she had finished getting ready the pair made their way down the apartment steps to where Elliot had parked his car. Catching up on eachothers day, Olivia focusing almost entirely on the exam feeling pretty confident in her performance. Some of the questions were challenging she admitted but overall she felt good about the test. A few minutes later and they were off to Elliot's secret destination, in the corner of his eye he could see Olivia trying to figure out where they were going. Looking at street signs and familiar buildings like a meerkat out of their burrow.

They pulled up outside one of the brightly lit buildings. Elliot placed the car in park, then angled his head in Olivia's direction. She craned her neck to read the sign spelling out their location 'Cool Inc Indoor Ice Skating and Sports' causing her to beam at Elliot. She used to skate with Casey but since drifting apart she had stopped going.

"I thought you might like to try it out again."

"I do." Excitedly she unbuckled herself and the pair freed themselves from the car and made their way inside the building. Elliot leaving her side briefly to return with two pairs of skating boots before they headed to the ring side. Olivia had managed to put her boots on easily, giving her time to watch Elliot attempt to fit his own. Admiring his persistence mixed with equal parts stubbornness trying to do it by himself. She crouched down taking the laces into her hand. "Here, let me help."

Elliot resigned himself to needing assistance letting Olivia maneuver her fingers around his feet, securing the skates on meaning they were both ready to move onto the ice.

She helped pull him to his feet smiling the entire time. Loving this side of Stabler more with every minute, completely out of his comfort zone yet willing to do so for her. "You've never skated before, have you?" She chuckled, linking their hands together whilst she stepped onto the ice. Guiding Elliot on at the same time.

"No I haven't." He conceded. Elliot held tightly onto Olivia's hands terrified he was going to fall. Whenever he caught a glimpse of her eyes. Pure enjoyment reflected back at him. Figuring it was how ridiculous he looked, having to cling to her to stop him falling on his ass, nevertheless he appreciated the moment all the same.

Spending the next hour skating slowly around the rink. Occasionally Elliot became brave enough to let go of Liv but quickly grappling for her hands again. They laughed and joked the entire time forgetting completely about the outside world, choosing to enjoy the company of each other instead. He did fall a couple of times causing Olivia to be rucked up with laughter repeatedly, however she didn't fail to help him to his feet again. Elliot's mind drifted to their time in SVU, their partnership, how this interaction on the ice rink seemed to strangely mirror their past relationship. How Liv was always there when he was about to fall and likewise he did the same for her. No matter how turbulent their relationship had become, one of them would be outside an apartment, house or desk to make it right. As years passed carving a deeper connection between them both.

Near the end of their work partnership it crossed his mind a few too many times that the two of them were too close. Once begging her take a shot that might have killed him when trying to arrest a suspect, watching her tremble as she pointed the gun at him shattered his heart. He couldn't stop the words leaving his lips, repeatedly demanding her to shoot and her pleading that she couldn't. She just couldn't. Truthfully, those actions were done from a place of fear. Concern that the partnership would come to an end, if they couldn't put the job first then it would finish them. In a way it eventually did.

The pair returned their skates and decided that Elliot would stay over at Benson's again as her apartment was closer, secretly he was glad he didn't have to drive back to Queen's in the late hour. Perhaps not wanting to go back at all. New York seems to come alive at night time as it's inhabitants found a bar or club to take residence in for the evening, however they were going back to her apartment seeking sleep and relaxation rather than dancing or partying. Once they had arrived back to her building she led him back to her apartment and locked the door behind them. Instantly throwing herself down on the sofa. Elliot doing the same.

"I really enjoyed tonight. Thank you El." She cuddled up in his chest taking in his scent. Appreciating more than she could articulate how he went out of his way to make her happy. Doing so because he wanted to- not out of obligation.

Elliot wrapped his arm around her and planted a kiss on her head. "Anytime." he whispered in a low tone.

She tilted her head to look at his face, his eyes. Beautiful summer blue orbs, bathing in his throaty tone which made her tingle from the day they met. The difference now is she can enjoy it, without the guilt. Without the shame. Olivia straddled him planting kisses on his cheek and neck as her fingers made quick work of the buttons. He wrapped his hands around her waist kissing her back, paying special attention to her pulse point knowing that when he did Olivia's breath would hitch in response, occasionally letting a gentle moan slip. She sat up tugging her shirt off to give him more access.

Taking a moment to look at Olivia, sliding his hands up and down her sides, landing on her bra choosing to push his fingers underneath the white lace material. Entranced by her breath speeding up he made quick work on the clasp and took her nipple in his mouth. Olivia taken aback broke her embrace and rested her forehead on Elliot's shoulder audibly groaning as he worked away on her breast. Feeling her hips sway, her need for him growing rapidly, his erection teasing her between the fabric of their clothes. Gaining composure of herself she snaked her hands down to his belt and slid his pants off realising they were both lying on the sofa now, with her still astride him. She skimmed his boxers drawing out a deeper groan from him, the sound fueling her need for him desperately. Elliot moved his attention to her other breast causing her squirm even more, breathing raggedly trying to stop herself from tumbling over the edge without him even touching her. Olivia pushed herself up from his chest allowing him to undo her own belt and remove her pants, throwing them to the floor with their other articles of discarded clothing.

Olivia pulled his boxers free from him revealing his member and taking it in her hands to stroke him gently. Gliding from the tip to base as she watched him tilt his head back in pleasure. "Fuck." he said gritting his teeth feeling his own release get closer. He swapped positions with Olivia so he was underneath her now and made fast work of her panties to have his fingers enter her. Curving them upwards as they glided within her. She arched her back in response, struggling for breath between louder and louder sounds from them both. Olivia knowing she was close pushed Elliot off her. "El.." she could barely make the sound. Entwined in each other he looked at her, noses almost touching. "Is this okay?"

She smiled up to him in and returned to kissing his neck, speaking in a soft voice. "Yeah." Her whole body feeling on fire from his hands tracing every inch of her. Elliot pushed himself inside of her, thrusting quickly, Olivia rolling her hips in tandem as her arms wrapped around his shoulders tightly. Her legs around his waist she gasped, feeling every stroke against her walls. "Fuck… Fuck.. " she whispered knowing she was going to blow apart tilting her head back from the intensity of it, but Elliot had beaten her there. Feeling his stomach muscles contract against her, he came loudly moaning in her ear. The sound that finished her off as well. So ferociously she found herself biting his shoulder riding the last of her orgasm before he slid out from her heat. She didn't have time to speak as Elliot's lips found hers. "I love you Liv." he mumbled breathily.

"I love you too." She returned in total bliss, completely spent, lying next to each other on the sofa, both of them smiling.