AN: Thanks to everyone that's read this story. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. This chapter is a little longer than I had planned, and I hope it lives up to everyone's expectations/hopes. Thanks for the support and reviews. Keep them coming!

EOEOEOEOEO

Elliot saw a look of uncertainty cross Olivia's face, and then it was gone, replaced with a small smile. But he had seen it. He took a step forward and reached out. "Liv…I'm not pushing…" He reached out, but she stepped back, and looked quickly up at the house.

"Not here." Olivia said quickly, taking a step back to keep the distance between them. She couldn't help but feel that Kathy was watching their interaction.

I hope things work out.

Kathy's words ran through her head. Even though it seemed to imply that she was ok with whatever happened between them, it still felt odd after all these years.

Elliot could practically see the wheels turning in Olivia's head, and he wondered what was going through her mind right now. He hoped she knew he wasn't pushing her…in any way. "Hey." He said. "I'm hungry." He jerked his head, indicating something behind him. "There's a small sports bar half a mile from here. Let's have a burger and a beer." He saw that Olivia looked relieved…at least a little…and she nodded. "Just follow me."

Ten minutes later, they were seated in a booth, with a cold glass of beer in front of each of them. They were sitting in silence, and he watched Olivia as she stared at the small, laminated menu. "Get the burger." He said. "Trust me."

Olivia's head popped up and she stared at him for a moment, and he could see the conflict in her eyes. She seemed to realize it and dropped her eyes back to the menu. "OK." She said, letting out a breath. "I'll trust you on this."

Olivia slid the menu over to the side and grabbed her glass of beer. She wrapped her hands around it and stared at the emblem on the glass. She saw Elliot in her peripheral vision, mimicking her actions. She thought about the hundreds of times they'd sat across from each other and cursed herself for making this so awkward. But she couldn't seem to wrap her had around the thoughts and emotions swirling through her mind and body at this moment, and certainly couldn't put it into words.

Elliot thought about her last words. I'll trust you on this. A qualifier. He knew trust was a tricky thing. He certainly hadn't earned it back, and he knew all the promises in the world didn't do much…he had to prove it. But that took time. "Liv…" He said tentatively, but she didn't look up. "Olivia." He said more forcefully, and this time, she dropped her hands from her beer and lifted her head.

Elliot saw the waiter move in their direction, and Elliot shot him a glance. Thankfully, the guy took the hint and moved away from them. He focused his attention back on Oliva. "Tell me what's going on." He knew it was vague, but he wasn't going to start peppering her with questions. He knew Olivia…she had to work things out…tell it in her own way.

"Nothing." Olivia said, pressing her lips together. "We're having lunch."

"Don't do that." Elliot said, continuing to look directly at her. "I know how your mind works Liv. I can read your body language. Just talk to me." He knew it was hard for her. Talking about their thoughts and fears and emotions…at least when it came to personal things…had never been something they did. He thought they'd made a lot of progress in this past week or so, but things don't change overnight.

Olivia's eyes dropped back down to her beer, and then picked up the glass and took a long drink. Maybe a little liquid courage would help. She saw Elliot looking at her expectantly. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to him. She just didn't know how to say the things that were racing around in her brain.

"You don't trust me." Elliot said, trying to help her start the conversation.

Olivia narrowed her eyes slightly, mulling over those words. "That's not it. Not exactly."

"I know it's going to take time to earn your trust back." Elliot said. "It's why I told you that we were going to move ahead at your pace." He was slightly frustrated because she was the one that had said they should go for it…take a chance. But he had to tamp that down. This was a complicated situation. "I'm not pushing you Liv. I'm really not. I'm trying to follow your lead."

Olivia shifted in her seat. "I know that. I appreciate that." She grabbed hold of the glass again…just to have something to do with her hands…and focused on the stupid beer emblem. "Two weeks ago, I was working at the station. I had a routine…a partner that I like…and trust. I was seeing someone…" She looked back up at him. "And now…" She shook her head. "I just can't believe that I'm sitting here across from you when I never thought I'd ever see you again."

Elliot could see the emotions playing out in her features, and he wanted to spare her the angst she was going through, but there was nothing he could do. They had to talk this out. He saw her fidget in her seat, and she tapped her short nails against the glass.

Olivia looked up at him. "I told you that I wanted to take a shot at this. That I didn't want to waste any more time being angry or upset about what happened…because…what's the point?"

Elliot nodded, remembering those very words.

"And then you kissed me." She said in a hushed voice. "And it just felt…" She let out a huge breath, unable to put it into words.

"I know." Elliot said quietly, holding her gaze. "I felt it too."

Olivia sat for a few seconds trying to school her thoughts. "But…when you've spent years denying your feelings…a decade telling yourself all the reasons why you shouldn't…why you can't. When you've had endless conversations in your own mind, telling yourself that your feelings aren't real…that you're only connected by the job and proximity and hours spent together…" She took a deep breath. "When you've had so many sleepless nights…wishing…wanting…and then you tell yourself that you're making it into something that it's not…" Olivia looked down at her beer again. "It makes you question what you're really feeling…what you think you know."

Elliot saw her look back up at him expectantly, and he thought about what she had said. "I understand everything that you just said. There were so many things we'd both do differently." He said, sitting up in the booth and leaning forward slightly. "But I don't question…not for one second…that I love you. That I've loved you for a long time." He saw her eyes looked glassy, and she bit down on her bottom lip. "I know this goes against everything we've been in the past, and I know it's not easy for you to just push yourself into the future without carrying the past. I know you'd like to think you can, but I know you…you've been hurt and disappointed to many times in your life to throw caution to the wind." He leaned his arms on the table, staring into her eyes. "I know you…and I understand that." His eyes looked back and forth between hers. "If you tell me that you can't do this, I'll understand. If all you can offer me is friendship…I'll understand. I told you before, I have no right to expect anything from you." He reached out tentatively, placing his fingers against her hands. "But if you decide you want to take a chance on this…on us…you don't need to be afraid. I'll be holding your hand the entire time."

Olivia stared at Elliot, letting him tangle his fingers with hers. She wondered just how much counseling he'd gone too, because once again, he shocked her with his honesty and his ability to understand just what she was trying to convey. It made her realize that he was really committed to what he said.

Elliot could see the surprise on her face, but this was what they needed. They'd had enough years of hiding their emotions and swallowing the things they wanted to say. He squeezed her hand lightly, and then slipped them from hers. The decision had to be hers.

Olivia reached out quickly, and grasped his hands with hers, giving him a small smile. She couldn't let him go. She wanted this…a future with Elliot. "OK." She said, somewhat breathlessly. "But don't let go."

EOEOEOEO

Olivia hated the forced separation as they drove back to Manhattan, but neither one of them wanted to drive back to Queens the next day to pick up a car. She thought back over the rest of the lunch, where the serious talk and turned into a more casual conversation. They had talked and teased…and there was a lot said in between the lines. She was less anxious about the speed at which things were moving forward (14 years Olivia…14 years…) and that he didn't think she was crazy for all the going back and forth (I know you Olivia…probably better than you know yourself. It'll be ok). They hadn't explicitly talked about sleeping together, but as they skirted the subject, she thought that maybe she detected a little bit of nervousness in Elliot too. She wondered if Kathy was the only woman he'd ever slept with (she couldn't imagine it was, but he'd been married at such a young age), and if she was as much of a prude as she'd always imagined (a man like Elliot couldn't be that vanilla). With the way that man had kissed her...

He certainly hadn't seemed nervous, but they were both going into this with a different set of experiences and expectations. Some of the dreams she'd had…waking and asleep…would probably make Elliot blush. Except she was fairly certain he'd had similar fantasies.

Maybe they would compare them sometimes. Or maybe they could play them out.

Olivia felt her cheeks flush, and then a new thought entered her mind. What if she didn't live up the fantasy he had concocted in his mind? She drummed her fingers nervously on the steering wheel, trying to push those thoughts from her head. She hadn't had one lover walk away disappointed, and while she wasn't sure that was something she should brag about…

The heat…the electricity...between the two of them when they kissed. At just the slightest touch.

She was 1000% certain that it was going to be explosive.

Olivia shifted in her seat, wishing she had just invited him directly over to her apartment. She couldn't sit through another dinner (do we really need a second date?). She let out a heavy sigh and slowed as traffic backed up at the bridge.

EOEOEOEOEO

Elliot drummed his hands on the steering wheel. He had so much pent up energy, but he felt good after his conversation over lunch. He knew things could change at a moment's notice…and probably would. But right now, he felt good. This was still all on her terms, and he couldn't even begin to describe the feeling when she had reached across the table and grasped his hands in hers.

She was trusting him with something important, and he was determined not to be careless with it. With her. He wasn't going to mess this up.

They had danced around what to do after leaving the bar. He hadn't wanted to leave her, and he could tell she felt the same. But the car ride home would give them each some time to breathe…to think. Hopefully, not to overthink things.

But he hoped they were past that.

Still, he had suggested dinner tonight. It just didn't feel right to invite her over or to go back to her place. It was inevitable that things might go too far…or at least farther than what she was ready for. He had been truthful when he said he'd wait a year if he had to. Or forever if that was her choice.

God…he hoped it didn't come to that.

He didn't think it would. She hadn't held back when he was kissing her, and he knew she wanted the same thing he did. He hoped she knew it was more than sex. He was pretty sure she did. He had been pretty clear about that.

He wondered if she was nervous, although he couldn't imagine she would be. The chemistry between them had been off the charts.

It's never been like this with anyone else.

He wondered if she was being truthful when she'd said that…or if she'd murmured those same words to other lovers.

But then he scolded himself. He had told her to get out of her own head…he had to get out of his. She'd had other relationships…slept with other men. They all had a past. He had to let that go.

He just had to trust what was in front of him right now. That was all that mattered.

He was so lost in thought that he jumped when he heard his cell phone ring. He hit the answer button on his trucks hands free system. "Stabler."

"Hey." Olivia's voice came across the speakers.

"Hey." Elliot said quickly. "Is something wrong?" He had just left her less than 25 minutes ago. "Are you having car trouble? Did you get into an accident?"

Olivia laughed on the other end of the line. "Is this what this is going to be like?"

"What do you mean by that?" Elliot asked, happy to hear her laugh.

"It means…" She thought about the role Elliot took as caregiver…protector…of everything he held dear. She decided she could live with that. "Never mind." She plunged ahead. "I was just thinking…well… I know you don't think I'm much of a cook. But I can cook. I just choose not to. With my schedule and …"

Elliot cut her off with a laugh. "Olivia, are you asking me to come over for dinner?"

"I'm not only asking you over for dinner, but I'm going to cook."

"Wow." Elliot was really surprised by her invitation. And not just the cooking part…it was the intimacy that her apartment provided. He tried not to read anything into it. It was just dinner. "I'd love that."

"OK. Be at my place at 8."

She had hung up before Elliot could say another word, but he felt a huge smile cross his face as he finally drove over the bridge into Manhattan.

EOEOEOEOEO

Olivia had been nervous before Elliot had shown up, and she had tried to focus on making dinner and getting ready. As she sat across from him now, both seated at the small table in the corner of her living room, she didn't know why she'd been nervous. He had gone on and on about dinner, although she finally told him to knock it over for being over complimentary, and she could tell he loved the simple black dress she had chosen to wear. She had debated for over a half an hour, holding jeans in one hand and the dress in the other, but ultimately, she was glad she had chosen it because Elliot had shown up in black slacks and a white dress shirt…sleeves rolled up as usual. He looked good, and she was glad she had made the effort.

Music was playing lightly in the background, and the candles on the table flickered, providing a little extra light in the dim room. Olivia took another sip of wine and leaned back in her chair. She smiled over at Elliot. "Let me know when you're ready for dessert." She said, thankful that Elliot had brought some treats from a local bakery. She hadn't even thought about it.

"I'm stuffed." Elliot said, pushing his plate forward. "That was really good." He raised one eyebrow as he looked at her. "If I would have known you could cook…" He teased as he shrugged his shoulders.

Olivia laughed. "Yeah, yeah."

They sat there for a moment, and Olivia didn't know what was going to happen next. Elliot had kissed her when he walked in the door, but it had been quick, and he had carefully maintained his distance as she had finished up dinner. She appreciated his respect for boundaries, but he was clearly going to take his cues from her.

"Maybe we should call it a night." Elliot said. He stood up and started picking up the dishes. He could feel some tension, and he didn't want to make her feel awkward. "It's been a long day."

"No." Olivia said quickly, standing up as well. "I mean…" She tempered her voice. "Don't feel like you have to go. Maybe we can watch a movie or a hockey game or something." She pushed his hand down. "Put the dishes down. I'll do them tomorrow."

"Do you really want me to stay?" Elliot asked, looking into her eyes.

Olivia ran her tongue across her lips. "I do." She put her hand over his. "Stay."

Elliot nodded. "OK. I'll stay for a while." He saw Olivia smile, and he was glad he'd agreed. "Let's at least clear the dishes. Do you have a dishwasher?"

"Yes." Olivia looked over towards her bedroom door. "I think I'm going to change into something more casual…if you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all. Even though…" Elliot let his eyes sweep over her body. "I do like that dress." He gave her a mischievous smile and then leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on her brow. "You're so damned beautiful." He whispered.

Olivia felt her cheeks color slightly, and she wondered why this compliment meant so much more from Elliot than from anyone else that her told her the exact same thing. "Thank you." She ran a hand lightly down his left cheek. "You look pretty good yourself." She gave him a sly smile and then turned and headed towards her bedroom.

She was halfway to her bedroom when she stopped. She turned, dropping her head slightly as she gazed back at Elliot through her eyelashes. She saw that he had been watching her…and he lifted his head to look her in the eye. Olivia gave him a small smile and looked over her shoulder. "Do you mind?" She asked quietly.

Elliot knew what she was asking…and he only hesitated a second before he closed the space between them. Olivia turned her head away from him and dropped her head slightly as he neared. Elliot reached up tentatively and brushed her hair aside with the softest of touches. His fingers brushed against her skin, and his nose was filled with a heady mixture of her perfume and shampoo. He grabbed the zipper pull and dragged it down slowly, revealing an expanse of dark skin…and then the black lace of her bra. He slowed then…

Elliot felt a small jolt from Olivia…a sharp intake of breath… as he reached out with his left hand and touched his fingers very lightly at the base of her neck. He slid his fingers down the ridge of her spine…following the trail of exposed skin. His fingers and his eyes slid down her skin as he continued to lower the zipper. He stopped when he saw a glimpse of black lace and he let out a breath…slowly.

He waited for Olivia to tell him thank you and continue to her room…or to tell him to stop…but her only reaction was an outbreak of goosebumps across her skin as his fingers rested on her lower back. Elliot took a half step closer, and ran both hands up her soft, smooth skin, pushing the sides of her dress farther apart as he flattened his palms against her shoulder blades. He hesitated a second…still waiting for her to say something…but then he brushed the dress off her shoulders. The soft, black material fell to her hips, and he slid his hands down her sides, hearing another intake of breath. He grasped the fabric and pushed it down farther…his thumbs brushing the fabric of her underwear as it fell to the floor. Elliot slid one hand into the ridge of her waist as he leaned in and pressed a kiss into the soft skin where her neck met her shoulder. Olivia dropped her head to the side, giving him access and he took that as her silent permission to continue.

Which was damned good because he didn't want to stop.

He was mesmerized by the small things. The taste of her on his lips…the feel of her beneath his fingertips…how a loose strand of hair tickled his skin. He kissed his way down her shoulder as the fingers of his left hand massaged the skin at her waist. And then his right hand slipped lightly over her right arm, and he was pulling her body against his…sliding his hands around her waist and holding her. Olivia dropped her head back against his shoulder, and Elliot peppered the side of her face with small, light kisses. Olivia was moaning lightly as he splayed his hands against her stomach…and he buried his face in her neck, whispering her name.

They stood like that for a moment, swaying slightly, and Elliot hummed against her skin. He was in no hurry to move…but then he felt Olivia's hands on his...stilling his movements. He wondered if this was the brakes, but then she was asking him to kiss her and she was turning around to face him.

Olivia let Elliot's hands slide to her lower back as she pressed her mouth to his. She kissed him eagerly…her body already reacting to the slow tease of his hands on her skin and the kisses he'd trailed down her shoulder. She slid her left hand around the back of his neck, trying to pull him closer as she slid her tongue between his lips. She could feel his fingers toying with the waistband of her underwear…and then they were dancing lightly across her skin, and she let out a small moan into his mouth. She pressed the palm of her hand against his chest, and she broke the kiss. "Take it off." She rasped against his mouth as she tugged his shirt from his pants.

Elliot put a hand over hers, holding it against his chest. "First…let me look at you."

Olivia had never been ashamed of her body, but suddenly, she felt a bout of self-consciousness. She stayed in shape, but the years had added weight and curves. But Elliot was already stepping back, holding her hands in his until he was forced to drop them. She started to look away as his eyes took her in, but then she saw the look in his eyes…the emotions playing out on his face.

Lust…love…longing.

Like she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

"God Liv…" Elliot whispered.

"Shhh." She whispered, moving closer and pressing her fingers to his lips. She didn't need to hear the words. She slid her hands down his sides, wrapping her fingers around his belt as she pressed her lips against his. When she released his mouth, she started moving backwards. She realized she was still wearing her heels, and she paused to kick them off.

Eliot gave her a lascivious look. "Leave them on." He said, his voice deep and husky.

Olivia was surprised by his comment, and she raised an eyebrow and gave him a small smile. She didn't say a word, but kept her hands wrapped around his belt as she tugged him towards her bedroom. Elliot's eyes never left hers, but she heard him exhale loudly as they crossed the threshold of her room.

Elliot almost couldn't believe this was happening. A nearly naked Olivia had led him into her bedroom, and he was on sensory overload. He took his eyes off her only for a moment to take in the queen-sized bed and the pale blue walls. And then she was turning him, so his back was to the bed, and she was unbuttoning his shirt. The moment she pushed the shirt of his shoulders, her lips were pressed against his chest. Olivia trailed her tongue across his chest as her hands unbuckled his belt. He felt her tug at his belt, and then he felt his pants slipping to the floor. He grabbed her hands as she started to slide her hand over his hard length, and she lifted her head to look at him…a question in her eyes. "First things first…" He grumbled as he turned and pushed her backwards slightly.

Olivia hadn't been expecting it, and she let out a small gasp as she fell backwards. But she let out a small laugh as she landed on the soft bed. Her laugh turned into a sly mile as she saw Elliot standing in between her legs…wearing nothing but his briefs. His erection was long and hard, and she ran her tongue across her top lip, letting her eyes wander over his hard body.

Olivia pulled herself back slightly on the bed and propped herself up on her elbows. Up until that moment, neither one of the had said much of anything, and she was surprised at how slowly they had moved to get to this point. It was slow and sensual…erotic. The exact opposite of what she had expected.

Elliot lifted her left leg and slowly removed her shoe. He did the same with her right, but then he dropped down on his knees. He kissed the inside of her right ankle…and then on her left. He pushed her legs apart slightly as he worked his way up her legs, crawling on to the bed slightly as he reached the spot just above her knee. He was looking up at her as he pressed his lips against her skin…moving at such a slow rate that Olivia thought she might die of anticipation. She felt her legs trembling, and she arched her back slightly, wanting to feel his mouth in the most intimate of places.

Elliot watched as Olivia closed her eyes and tilted her head backwards, and he heard her moan as he kissed her inner thigh. He slid his hand up her other leg, rubbing his thumb against the sensitive skin. He could feel her body arching into him…could feel her heat.

He stopped when he saw the angry red scar on her thigh…he rubbed his thumb over it lightly…thinking about the fact that she could have been taken from him. But then Olivia moaned his name and he continued his journey up her body. He opened her legs a little more, and she cried out as he dragged his teeth over her covered mound. She was trembling as he placed gentle kisses over her stomach, until he reached the lace of her bra. He straddled her thigh with his legs, and he pressed his thigh against her as he covered her lace-covered breast with his mouth. He bit down lightly, and she writhed against him.

Olivia was aching with want…she wanted the last of their barriers removed. She snaked her hand down to his briefs, and tugged at the waistband, but Elliot took one hand and pinned it near her head. "Patience." He said as his mouth ghosted over hers. "We've got a way to go before that's going to happen." He didn't give her a chance to protest as he grasped her mouth with his. He plunged his tongue between her lips and kissed her deeply, feeling her body arching against his.

Olivia pushed against Elliot's hand, trying to free herself. She was used to being in charge in the bedroom, but she trusted Elliot implicitly. It was an incredible turn-on to let go of the control…to have him be in charge…but knowing she was the one that had ultimate control. She felt her bra slip from her body…Elliot's lips and tongue tasting…teasing…

He was marking her and she knew that by morning, they would both bear the marks of their love-making.

Olivia arched her back again, tracing the skin of his back with her fingers and her nails as he opened up chasms of pleasure inside her. When he slid her underwear down her hips, she was so far gone that one touch of his tongue sent her over the edge…an unbelievable sound erupting from her core. He didn't give her any time to recover before his fingers slipped inside of her…pushing and stretching her. His tongue was on her clit and it didn't take long for another orgasm to rip through her body.

Olivia was pushing at his hips then, trying to drag his underwear from his body because she wanted him inside of her now. As much as she wanted to explore his body the same way he had hers…she couldn't wait another second to feel him moving inside of her. She gasped Elliot's name and twisted her body. "I need you." She rasped out.

Elliot's fingers slipped from inside of her and he was crawling up her sweat covered body. He felt Olivia's hands at his hips and she was dragging them down, pulling them off completely with her foot. She lifted her hips and his erection pressed against her core. He gasped at the contact…his erection throbbing with want.

"Liv." He managed to say…his breath heavy as he looked down at her. "Tell me yes."

Olivia was too focused on getting him inside of her to hear what he was saying. She braced her feet on the bed, and lifted her hips, feeling him at her entrance. She was so wet…so ready for him…and she let out a sound of frustration as he held his body above hers.

"Olivia." Elliot said her name more insistently. "Look at me."

Olivia looked up at him then.

"Tell me that you want this…" He whispered, grazing his lips over hers.

"I want this." She whispered.

Elliot smiled then. "I love you." He kissed her deeply then, and their breath was as one as he pushed inside of her. She was so tight after the orgasms he had coaxed from her body, and he moaned into her mouth as the sensation of her walls as they closed around him. He pulled out slightly, but then pushed back inside, going deeper, until their hips connected. "Christ…" He muttered as he released her mouth and dropped his head to her shoulder. He stayed there for a moment, trying to give her body time to adjust. But then she was urging him on.

The room was filled with the sounds of their bodies connecting…and the moans coming from both of them. At one point, Olivia urged him to move harder…faster…and he was happy to oblige. He felt his arms falter as he held himself over her, and then he felt her heels digging into his ass. He couldn't possibly get any deeper…and he didn't know how much longer he could hold on. But Olivia's moans were coming faster…she was getting louder…

He slipped his hand between them and swiped her clit and he felt her body tighten around him. She as so close…

"Come for me Liv." He whispered, then he sent her over the edge. He watched her face as she threw her head back and closed her eyes, and it was the most erotic sight he had seen. Her body tightened so hard around him…and he couldn't hold back a moment longer. He emptied himself inside of her…hearing a string of unintelligible words slip from her lips as she arched her back again and dug her nails into his skin.

Elliot collapsed against her but managed to hold most of his weight off her. He let out a loud groan as her muscles continued to contract around him, and he felt her long legs wrap around him, holding him in place. They lay like that for several minutes, but then Olivia was shifting beneath him. He lifted his weight, and she let out a small sound as he pulled out of her. "Sorry." He whispered against her cheek, but then he lowered himself to lay next to her. He saw her close her legs and lift her hips slightly, adjusting her body on the bed. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" He hadn't even thought about it…their bodies seemed to be so in tune. A perfect fit. But she had been so tight…and he'd been so deep. And he hadn't been gentle with her.

He kicked himself mentally…going after her like that. Pinning her to the bed…pounding into her…

"I'm fine." She said, her voice soft.

He looked down at her. "I should have taken things more slowly…"

Olivia swatted at his arm. "If you would have taken things any more slowly…" She smiled. "Let's just say that patience isn't one of my virtues." She rolled over then, and slid one leg across his thighs, straddling him. She rested her thighs on his, keeping some of her weight on her legs.

Elliot reached up and rested his hands on her hips. "You're so fucking beautiful."

Olivia felt herself blush slightly. "Flattery will get you everywhere." She took his hands and slid them up to her breasts, letting her head fall back as Elliot took the weight of them in his hands and ran his thumbs across her nipples. Her thighs tightened around his, and even though her body was deliciously sore, she wanted to feel him pushing inside of her again. Her eyes closed as she slid his hands down her body, and she silently urged him on. But then she felt his fingers linger at the scar on her leg, and her eyes popped open. She lifted her head and looked down at him. Olivia saw his eyes were focused on the slash of raised skin. She wasn't certain what was going through his head right now, so she placed her hand over his. "I'm fine El."

"I know." He whispered softly as he looked back up at her. His eyes moved to her neck…seeking…searching. He spotted the small white scar… so faded that you wouldn't notice it if you didn't know where to look. He pushed her gently, and Olivia fell back onto the bed. He lay on her side and slid his fingers to the small scar. "Do you remember?" But it was a rhetorical question because neither of them would ever forget that moment. "I thought I'd lost you." His hand fell to her leg. "And then…another maniac almost took you away from me again."

Olivia pushed Elliot onto his back once again and splayed the palm of her hand against his cheek. "I'm here El…I'm not going anywhere."

"I know…it's just." He tucked her hair behind her ear. "So much time wasted. If I wouldn't have ever had a chance to tell you that I love you…" Elliot pulled her against him, the ferociousness of his feelings for her taking over. He kissed her deeply, wrapping an arm around her as she slid on top of his body. When he released her mouth, he looked into her eyes. "I love you."

A slow, lazy smile crossed Olivia's lips. "I love you too." She grasped his chin and looked into his eyes. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. The past…it's in the past. Let's leave it there. Forget about Gitano. Forget about Richard White. I don't want to dwell on the past…on how things could have been different. I want to enjoy this moment…where we are now." She kissed him slowly…deeply. "OK? Do you think we can do that?"

Elliot ran his fingers through her hair. "Yes. You're right."

"So…are we going to keep talking? Or do you have any other ideas?" Olivia teased.

Elliot rolled her over, pinning her body with his. His eyes twinkled as he stared down at her. "I have lots of ideas."

"That's good." Olivia said as she trailed her fingers down her back. "Because I seem to remember that someone promised me some new memories…"

Elliot ghosted his lips over hers. "It's a good thing I'm a man of my word."

The End.