A/N: Thank you to everyone who is still sticking with this story. This is a long chapter compared to recent ones but I couldn't split it up. As always thank you for the reviews, I love reading your feedback. It's time to meet up with Elliott. Let me know what you think. Enjoy!


Chapter 54

The sun was beginning to sink in the sky as Olivia made her way to her meeting with Elliott. She and Alex had spent most of the afternoon on the beach, a place she'd sorely missed in her time away. As much as the beach had always helped her relax she was nervous about spending time with her old partner. She had missed Elliott that was certain, but after being away from him for so long she'd grown and changed. In the past her life had revolved around the job which rarely left time for a private life. Elliott had also been a large part of her world and now that he had been out of it for two years she wondered if things would be the same between them.

Glancing again at the piece of paper she'd written the address Elliott had given her on she wondered where they were meeting. While dinner or meeting at a bar for a drink was fine with her she'd kinda hoped for somewhere a little more private. They had a lot to discuss, and in case the conversation began to go south being in public wasn't the best idea.

Glancing up and seeing she was at the address she'd written down, Olivia pulled over and looked around. She grabbed her cell phone and began to dial Elliott's number. Either he gave her the wrong address or she had written it down wrong. She jumped however when there was a knock on her passenger window.

"Elliott?" she took a deep breath as she tried to calm her pounding heart.

"Hey, didn't mean to scare you."

She climbed from the car and looked at him "I was about to call you, I thought I had the wrong address."

"You don't."

"Obviously."

He waved his arm and walked to the front of the car "C'mon, I'll explain."

Olivia followed him as he turned down a walkway that led to a single story house. "You guys move?"

"You could say that." he replied while opening the front door "Want a beer? I ordered pizza it should be here any minute."

"Uh, yeah…a beer is fine."

Olivia took time to look around; it was a nice house but seemed awfully small for the Stabler family. She'd visited her partner's family on multiple occasions and while she saw a few items that obviously belonged to the twins, something didn't feel quite the same.

Elliott returned and handed over a beer while taking a seat in a chair, motioning Olivia to do the same. The brunette opted for the opposite end of the couch, turning slightly so she could face Elliott.

"So…" he started but then felt like he didn't know where to go with conversation.

Olivia was quiet as well, she wasn't sure where to start either.

"I hope Alex isn't upset with me taking you away from time together."

Olivia smiled at the thought of the blonde "No. We spent the morning together, then I visited Casey for a while which gave Alex time to explore on her own, then we spent time on the beach this afternoon. She's fine with it, she wanted us to be able to spend time together."

"She seems nice." He added with a smile.

At that Olivia's smile grew "She's everything I've ever wanted." Olivia took a sip of her beer before asking the question she'd been dying to ask "So, how are Kathy and the kids?"

"They're fine."

Olivia knew something was off "El?"

Elliott's eyes narrowed as he looked off to the side, while running his free hand along the arm of the chair "Uh…we're separated." He cautiously looked to Olivia "Kathy asked for a divorce."

"What?!"

"Yeah." He took another swig from his bottle before giving the brunette a sad smile "Hence the new address for me. I still see the kids, usually every other weekend but Maureen tries to get them all over here once during the week for dinner."

"I'm so sorry, Elliott."

He shrugged "Don't be, it's not your fault. I mean, I'm sure everyone expected it would happen eventually."

Olivia wanted to argue, but at the same time she had wondered over the years how long the marriage would last. Elliott was notorious for shutting people out, herself included. She'd wondered how Kathy had put up with it as long as she had. In the past she'd been the type to shut people out, or keep things internalized but not anymore. She was so thankful now that she had Alex, someone who had allowed her to realize she didn't have to go it alone.

"No Elliott, that's not true."

He tilted his head and looked up at her "Really Liv? How many times did you tell me to go home and be with my family, to talk to Kathy?"

She nodded in concession "It still doesn't mean I thought you two would divorce, and I'm certainly not happy it happened."

The ring of the doorbell interrupted their conversation. After paying and setting the food out on the coffee table they settled into silence as they ate their dinner.

"I know Vinnie's was always one of your favorite pizza places." He said, breaking the awkward silence in the room.

"I didn't realize how much I'd missed it." Olivia smiled as she took another bite.

"So, I've basically caught you up on my life. How about you catch me up on yours? The last time we talked, you were in New York."

Olivia finished her last bite and took a sip of beer. Even though it hadn't even been a full year since they'd been in New York it almost felt as if it had been a lifetime. She took a deep breath and launched into her most recent stint in the program.

"Montana huh?" Elliott asked as she finished her story.

"Yeah, it's pretty great."

"Kinda cold isn't it? Doesn't it snow most of the year?" he asked with a laugh.

Olivia grinned "Well not most of the year but pretty close to it. I have to admit while it was difficult getting used to the cold and snow, I kinda enjoy it." she took another sip of her beer "I think what we enjoy the most is everything we can do."

"Like what?" he chuckled "Sounds like you were in a rural area."

"Not really, and there's lots to do." Olivia surprised herself at how defensive she became of their home. "Yes, our town is small but it's also a suburb of Billings; they have shopping, restaurants, and theatre. Not to mention all the outdoor activities. We spent a weekend in a cabin where we found out Alex is quite the fly fisherman. We've also become avid horseback riders, over the summer we were going almost every weekend. We went as recently as a few weeks ago."

"Whoa, whoa!" Elliott laughed and held his hands up "I wasn't making fun of where you lived."

'Sure felt like it.' Olivia thought to herself. She nodded her head, seemingly accepting his statement.

Elliott stood and began to clear their dinner, both sensing they needed a break for a second. "You want another beer?"

"No, I'm good."

When Elliott returned Olivia nervously ran her hands over her thighs. So far what her future plans might be had not come up, and the longer they didn't discuss it the more nervous she became. She was running scenarios in her mind as the best way to bring it up.

"Okay, so since this threat against Alex has been taken care of when will you be coming back?"

'Guess you don't have to wonder how to bring it up anymore.' "Well…I don't really know."

"What do you mean you don't really know?" His eyes narrowed in that way they always did when he heard something he didn't like.

"What I mean is, I don't really know."

Elliott twisted in his chair a bit to face her better "How do you not know? The threat against you has been dealt with, the threat against Alex has been dealt with. So what's stopping you?"

Olivia was doing her best to keep her cool. She and Elliott had had their fair share of arguments over the years, so it was nothing new. His determination to get his way was also nothing new, and her ability to easily tell him no wasn't new either. However, this wasn't how she wanted to spend their time together after so long apart. "Elliott, Alex and I have a lot of decisions to make, we have a lot of thinking to do. We both intend to have a future together, but we have to work out what that future is…" she met his gaze so he knew how serious she was "And where that future is."

"Where?!" he looked away for a moment before leveling his gaze at the brunette again. "What do you mean, where?"

"Exactly what I said." Her tone implying it should be obvious "We need to decide where we want to live now."

"What's wrong with LA? Not good enough for her?"

"Don't even go there." Olivia's voice lowered as she tried to control her emotions at his sleight at Alex.

"Sorry."

Both were quiet for a moment before he began again "Look Liv, its plain to see you're happy. You light up every time she's mentioned. And honestly, I'm glad you're happy, but this is your home. Your friends, your career, your whole life is here."

"She's my whole life."

"Liv-"

"No, don't Liv me. Yes, for my entire life LA was home. Yes my career is here, yes my friends are here, and yes my past is here…but Alex is my future. If she likes it here and wants to live here, then we'll call LA home. However, if she decides she misses New York, and more importantly her family, and wants to go back then we're off to New York. I really don't care where we are, as long as we're together." she took a steadying breath, shocked she'd managed to stay so calm "Alex is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. She is more important to me than anyone or anything on this Earth."

Elliott remained quiet. Olivia watched for any sign of what he was thinking, years of reading his mind she suddenly couldn't quite get a read on him. She wondered if he took offense at her saying Alex was more important to her than anyone. For years he was essentially the most important person in her life, she was pretty sure he wasn't thrilled with being replaced. Although he wasn't being replaced, in a sense. Of course Alex was more important in her life, but he would always be important to her. She trusted him with her life.

"What about your career though? Look at what you've built and achieved here. You're just going to let all that go?"

"For her, I would." She replied sincerely. "I can be a cop anywhere Elliott."

"You're not just a cop Olivia, you're a detective. And a damn good one at that."

"Thanks."

"Special victims is where you belong."

"Elliott, I love what I do. As difficult as it is, I love it. There may not be Special Victims Units in every town, but sadly rape, domestic violence and child abuse is an epidemic that is spread all across this country. I can help victims and make a difference no matter where I live."

Elliott downed the rest of his beer. He looked down at the empty bottle in his hand for a bit before placing it back on the coffee table. "So that's it huh? Since you can be a cop anywhere its okay."

"No, that's not it. Like I said, Alex and I have a decision to make and we're gonna take our time and make it together."

"It sounds like you're gonna let her make the decision and you'll just go along with it."

"No Elliott. Alex and I are committed to one another. We make decisions together. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. We will figure this out together. As much as I'm willing to pick up and move to New York if she wants to, she is equally willing to move here if that's what I want. We just have to take the time to figure out where we will be happiest."

"Well if she's willing to come here then why aren't you back?" his voice raising.

"Because I'm not sure I want to come back!"

The words seemed to hang in the air, both shocked at Olivia's admission.

Elliott's head went back slightly as if the words had a physical impact "I never thought I'd hear you say that."

'I never thought I would either.' Olivia thought to herself. "Look Elliott," Olivia took a shaky breath as she felt tears forming "You say you're happy for me, so let me be happy. It was Alex's idea for us to come here so I could be home again and get to see you guys. We visited with her Dad and some of her guys while in New York, even if it was under the strictest safety precautions. She wanted me to be able to come home again, because she loves me that much." She hastily wiped away a stray tear, not wanting to become too emotional in front of him. "I wanted to discuss this with you in person so you would at least be prepared that there was a possibility I may not be back. You're my partner Elliott and I care about you, I didn't want to just show up one day and say I wasn't coming back. I wouldn't blindside you like that. But you do need to at least accept, and get used to the idea, that there is a chance I could transfer somewhere else."

Both sat quietly when Olivia finished speaking. She said her peace and now it was up to him as to how he was going to deal with it. She could've sworn she saw tears in his eyes, but she knew he wouldn't allow them to fall as long as she was there. As the silence wore on she nodded her head "I should probably get going, it's getting late." Olivia fished her keys from her purse and started for the door.

"I lost you once, through no fault of your own. I don't blame you for leaving, it was the right decision. Your safety was most important. And just when I start to think I've got you back, I might lose you again."

Olivia slowly turned to face her partner. "El…"

"First I lose my wife, my family, and now I lose my partner. I wonder whose next?"

"Elliott, it's not like that." she knew how child-like and petulant he could be at times. She was trying to remain calm and not lash out, knowing it would just make the situation worse.

"Yeah Liv, it is." He stood and crossed his arms "The last few years have been hell for me too. I worried every day if someone found you and took you out. Then once I talked to you and found out about the cartel after Alex, I worried that they would find her and kill you too. So excuse me if I'm a little ticked that you just waltz in and announce that you won't be back since you now have something more important in your life."

Olivia's eyes went wide in shock "You son of a bitch!" she took a few steps closer "That's not true and you know it. I didn't just throw it out there and say deal with it. I never even said I wasn't coming back. I simply wanted you to know it's a possibility so you would have time to get used to the idea in the event I don't." she swallowed her tears, definitely not wanting him to see her cry now. "And your life was hell? I'm sorry your marriage is possibly over, I really am, but you have no idea what I went through those first few weeks and months. I am grateful every day that I met Alex and had her with me. I don't think I would've made it had it not been for her." she turned to leave, knowing she was about to completely lose it.

"Well, just go ahead and leave, walk out. I can 'get used to the idea' all on my own." his tone sarcastic.

"It's not all about you Elliott! The world does not revolve around you and what you think and want. That's an idea it would really do you good to get used to." She opened the door but turned back to face him once more "Oh, and don't ever degrade Alex again by referring to her as 'something'. I have someone very important in my life, her name is Alex, and yes…she is more important than you."

The front door slamming echoed throughout the house.


Alex sat curled up in a chair reading a book while sipping a glass of wine, Charlie curled up asleep on her lap. She'd expected Olivia to be gone for a while but was starting to wonder now is at got later. Glancing at the time she saw it was just after ten. Hearing the key in the lock she sighed in relief the brunette was back, she only hoped it went well with Elliott. She carefully moved, allowing Charlie to fall into her place in the chair, and headed to greet the older woman. Immediately she knew it had not went well. Olivia's eyes were red and puffy, her face splotchy, evidence she'd been crying. Alex held her arms out as Olivia sunk into them. "Oh baby. Are you okay?"

Olivia buried her face in Alex's neck, taking time to absorb the love the blonde was giving her before speaking "I will be."

"I take it things didn't go well?"

"He's just being Elliott, he'll come around eventually."

Alex soothingly ran her hands along Olivia's back "I said he better not send you back in tears…I guess I'm gonna have to kick his ass." She tried with a light tone.

Olivia chuckled and pulled back to see Alex grinning at her. "There's not a doubt in my mind you could, but it's not necessary."

After a relaxing bath that Alex drew for Olivia the couple was finally settled in to go to sleep. Alex lay with her arm around Olivia hoping she could relax into a peaceful sleep. Finally after a couple hours Alex knew Olivia was sound asleep. She carefully climbed from the bed and put on jeans and a sweatshirt. She wrote a quick note so Olivia wouldn't panic if she woke. She found the piece of paper in Olivia's purse and quietly slipped from the room. Downstairs she hailed a cab and gave the driver the address on the paper.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming!" Elliott shouted at the pounding on his door. He opened it and was met with the ice cold stare of Alex Cabot. He blinked once or twice trying to wake up "Alex?"

"I don't know what you said, or what you did, but don't ever do it again!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Olivia. I don't know what happened here, but she came back in tears. I won't have it."

"Look, it involves me and Olivia-it's no one else's business." he rolled his eyes and started to close the door. A firm hand on the door stopped him though.

"If it involves Olivia coming back to our room in tears I make it my business." it was taking everything she had not to slap him. She was almost certain he'd slap an assault charge on her.

"Yeah, okay…whatever."

"I'm warning you Stabler," Alex got in his face, her finger pointing right at him, one last parting shot before leaving "Do. Not. Fuck. With. Me."