I am so sorry it took so long for an update! My life has been very hectic lately dealing with 2 family emergencies and being out of town for 2 weeks. Please don't kill me after this one! As always please comment and let me know what you think!

Chapter 21:

Elliot sat next to Olivia on a park bench waiting for their target to show for a scheduled meeting within the next hour. To anyone who didn't know any better they would be a loving couple deep in conversation. Olivia's head was resting on Elliot's shoulder while he had his arm around her and placed random, soft kisses on her head. Elliot knew he shouldn't be too happy with their situation and he knew she was taken but he loved the feeling of having Olivia in his arms. As he thought about their predicament he tightened his hold as they continued their current conversation.

"Elliot I am glad you are back. I really am but you are really testing my life right now." Olivia stated with her head still on his shoulder. "What are you talking about Liv?" He stated as he looked down at her face with a questioning look even though he knew what she was talking about. "El.." she started as she sat up and looked at him. "I am taken El. I have an amazing man and an even more amazing little boy. But you coming back.. like you did.. it makes me question a lot of things. It makes me wonder "what if" and makes me think about how things could have ended up or where we would be now." She stated as they continued to play their part of being a loving and doting couple to not arouse any suspicion to those who might be watching.

Elliot took her hand and kissed the top of it as he stated, "Liv. I cant speak to the unknowns and it does hurt that i am back too late but i promise you i never meant to hurt you and I never meant .." he trailed off not wanting to finish his sentence. "Never meant what?" She asked looking at him but not knowing if she actually wanted to hear the answer. "I never meant to fall in love with you Olivia." He stated as her breath caught in her chest. "Elliot.. I can't. I have Barba." She stated and he cut her off "By the look of the other day and his statements at the precinct the other night are you sure he is really the guy for you?" He stated. "Elliot Stabler you have no right. Rafael is an amazing man who not only is an amazing father to Noah but he also cares for me and truly understands the work we do daily. Yes he and I may not see eye to eye at the moment but that does not change the fact he is caring for …" She started but not knowing how to finish her sentence. She had yet to tell him that Noah was not Barba's biological son and didn't know if she really wanted him to know or not. In the end she needing him to understand it would not work between them and that he did need to move on from her. "The fact is Rafael Barba came into my life and not only broke my walls down and showed me how to love again he also allowed a single mom and a little boy to wiggle their way into his heart and he has been bathing but an amazing father to a son who isn't even his and continues to show me the color and light in this world." Olivia stated to him as a tear ran down her face as she talked. As she finished Elliot didn't know if his heart was breaking or if she had just put a knife in his chest. He had no idea that she was a single mother and that Noah was not Barba's and felt betrayed that no one had let him in on the "secret" before now.

He saw their target approach from across the park. "Show time." He stated as he kissed the top of her head again leaving her at a loss for words once again. Elliot rose to meet the man as he got closer. They had decided he would take point on the contacts as they did not know how much she would be trusted due to her being a woman. Olivia hated not being in charge and he knew it but he was taking pleasure in being in control of something for once in a long time. As they all spoke and they were directed back the way the man came Elliot took her hand and led her to where they were going. As they reached their destination he was surprised to see another couple there waiting to meet with them. "Good afternoon. I am Scott and this is my wife Rosie." The man stated as they approached. "Go ahead Rosie. You can talk." Scott stated as Eliot eyed him and felt Olivia tense beside him. "It's nice to meet you." She stated as she kept her eyes down. "My partner here says you two are wanting to go into a mutual business venture?" Scott stated as he looked at both of them. "Tell me.. why should I entertain you on this?" Scott stated as he looked at both of them with a clouded look.

Something in Elliot's gut told him to be cautious. He didn't know what exactly it was or why but something did not feel right and he couldn't shake it. "After hearing about your work we wanted to help with the distribution and delivery of the products. My wife here believes she can find good employment opportunities for the… merchandise… and can help them be more like Rosie here." Eliot stated not wanting to overdue his statements and give them away. He and Olivia knew Scott did not look at the women he was holding, trading, and selling as anything other than merchandise being shipped to the highest dollar. The plan was to get enough information into order to allow the FBI to put all parties away for life and he didn't want to ruin that. He felt Olivia squeeze his hand and realized he had tensed up unknowingly when thinking about what Scott and the others have done and continue to do with the girls.

"Well you see that causes an issue for me." Scott stated bluntly. "Too many people already know about me and it's peculiar. Just yesterday I had a very similar conversation with another couple who remind me a lot of you two." Scott stated and Eliot's gut knotted and he felt and could sense Olivia get tense and her emotions heighten next to him. They had not had any contact with Carisi or Rollins since they rated ways at the precinct almost 3 days prior as they were getting their orders from the FBI directly while Carisi and Rollins were being led by Fin back at the precinct. The FBI would not allow Fin to handle both sets in case something was compromised. "Now having one or two people asking about my business is one thing. However, having 4 within 24 hours? Now that is something entirely." Scott stated as he looked at Olivia and Elliot with a cold, icy stare. It was at this moment Olivia and Elliot knew they were compromised and that something was wrong. Before Elliot could say or do anything he watched as Scott raised a pistol to the both of them and fired