Disclaimer: SVU and its characters belong to Dick Wolf. I own nothing.


Everything went smoothly on Wednesday with the movers collecting Olivia's things. As a final decision, she had decided to also bring to the new home the bedroom furniture from her room, and place it in the loft area. That way, there would be no need to buy anything additional to furnish the guest room. They had also called a contractor, and someone was coming in the following week to begin adding a small bathroom to the space.

The few remaining things that weren't going to be moved to the townhouse were placed in a small storage unit Olivia had temporarily rented until they could be sold. On the final trip back to the apartment when they made sure they hadn't forgotten anything, and walked through one last time, Olivia found herself getting more emotional than she'd expected.

"Are you all right, Liv?"

Elliot asked the question softly, placing his hand on her shoulder and squeezing gently. He wasn't necessarily expecting an answer, and was fully prepared to give her a moment of space if that was what she needed. She had lived here as long as he'd known her, and probably even way before that, so it was understandable that she would be having some conflicting emotions now that she was leaving the place behind.

"I hadn't expected to feel like this. For the longest time, it never really felt like a home. It was only the place where I lived."

He removed his hand from her shoulder, taking a step closer to embrace her fully. Turning his head so his lips brushed against her temple, he waited. He knew she still had more to say.

"I never expected that to change when you showed up on my doorstep. I never expected us to change – not that I regret it for a second. It's just for the first time in a long time, this place finally felt like a home, and now I'm leaving it behind."

Cupping her face in his hands, Elliot kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose, and finally her lips. Then he pressed his forehead against hers for a moment before pulling back to look into her eyes. He wanted to be certain she could both see and hear him.

"You're not leaving anything behind, Liv. You're moving forward. We're moving forward."

She nodded then, accepting his words as truth. She wasn't losing anything, only gaining more. There was no telling what awaited them in the future, either.

"You're absolutely right, El. Let's go home."

Taking his hand in hers, they walked out the door together for the last time, neither of them looking back. To their delight, the landlord was busy helping another tenant, so Olivia was able to drop off her keys without much interaction.

Driving their separate cars to the new home was the hardest, because it was a journey they had wanted to travel together, but it was necessary. There had been a few things they had packed in the vehicles they hadn't trusted the movers with.

Once they arrived, they were met with a surprise. Standing on the sidewalk in front of their new home was a small welcoming party. Not only were Elliot's kids there, but so were Fin and Munch, along with Nathan. Apparently even though it was a Wednesday, everyone had managed to be free to come and help. The only ones who might have to leave at any given time were Fin and Munch, who were still on call.

With that many extra hands available, the boxes were all unpacked in no time at all. The entire process was completed in the span of just a few hours. By the time it was late afternoon, Fin and Munch were headed back to the precinct. Those who stayed behind were treated to a delivered meal by Elliot and Olivia.

Soon, everyone had finished eating, and people started going their separate ways. Nathan was the first to leave. The twins left soon after that, saying they had to work later that evening. Finally, Maureen and Kathleen left, but not before taking a full tour of the place. They both loved the way the guest room in the loft was taking shape, and promised to visit as often as they could. Then they headed out, too.

Alone at last, Elliot and Olivia sank down next to one another on one of the living room sofas. It wasn't even evening yet, and they were both exhausted. Still, the day had been an eventful one. Turning to face him, Olivia noticed Elliot was watching her with an expression she couldn't quite decipher.

"El, what is it?"

Reaching up with one hand to brush a strand of hair behind her ear, he answered her.

"I just realized something, that's all."

"What's that?"

Still keeping his palm resting against her face, he stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb.

"I forgot to carry you over the threshold earlier."

Olivia's eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

"What? Elliot, we're not married."

"No, but this is the beginning of our new life together. That deserves to honor some type of tradition."

She raised her hand to cover his where is still lay against her cheek. Flicking her eyes back and forth between his, she studied him carefully.

"Maybe so, but we can always make our own traditions."

Reading the look in her expression, he leaned in to kiss her. Her lips parted, allowing his tongue to enter and sensually stroke her own. A soft moan escaped her. When he pulled back, their breaths were coming in soft pants. Trying to keep himself from taking her then and there, Elliot offered up a suggestion. There was no masking the desire in his voice.

"What do you say we go and christen the bedroom instead?"

Olivia's answer was a throaty whisper against his lips.

"That sounds like a good start."


No sooner had Olivia agreed to his proposition, Elliot had swept her up in his arms. However, once they reached the bedroom, he changed direction. Instead of carrying her over to the bed and laying her down on the mattress, he took her into the adjoining bath. Only then did he set her on her feet. Kissing her softly on the lips, he answered the unspoken question in her eyes.

"As much as I can't wait to try out our new bed, I have another idea. One that involves you, me, and this tub."

Olivia's eyes sparkled back at him in response, and he knew she had no objections. She watched as he turned on the taps to start the water flowing, then kissed her yet again.

"Wait here, I'll be right back."

With those words, he disappeared. Not wanting to disobey his directive entirely, Olivia moved about the room. She lit the candles that had already been set out on display, thanks to the help of Elliot's daughters. Then she checked the temperature of the water, and waited.

She didn't have to wait long, because Elliot reappeared a few moments later. In one hand he carried two long stem glasses. The other held a bottle of what looked to be champagne, but Olivia knew was really sparkling cider. He set the items down on the ample ledge of the tub, then stepped closer, his hands already reaching for her clothes.

Together, they undressed one another, stealing several kisses in between. Only when their clothes were lying in a pile on the bathroom floor did they pull apart. Taking Olivia by the hand, Elliot stepped into the tub, and guided her in after him. He made sure she was carefully seated, then sat facing her, their legs intertwining. Passing her a flute of cider, he raised his own glass in the air, before making a toast.

"To our new home, and the beginning of our new life together. May we have many years of happiness."

Unable to speak due to the lump in her throat caused by all the emotion she was feeling at the moment, Olivia clinked her glass with his, her eyes shining brightly. She may not be able to voice her feelings in this moment, but nothing was stopping her from showing him exactly how she felt.

After drinking their cider, Olivia reached out and took the glass out of Elliot's hand. She moved her arm over the side of the tub to set both of them safely on the floor so they wouldn't be knocked off the edge. Then she leveled her gaze on him, studying him carefully.

"Liv, what are you doing?"

His voice was shaky, but it wasn't from fear or anxiety. There was a hint of anticipation to it, as he awaited her next move. The tub was easily big enough to hold two people, and even allowed for a bit of movement. Currently, they were facing one another, and Olivia slid closer to him, her hands reaching out to brush along his chest.

"Liv?"

He questioned her again, but he wasn't objecting to her touch. His eyes hadn't left hers for even a moment as she had drawn closer. Now it was to the point she was in his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck. Olivia's lips met his in a heated kiss, and only when she pulled back did she answer his question.

"I'm going to take care of you, El. Just relax."

She swallowed his groan in another kiss, and her hands brushed down his chest again until they drifted lower. Wrapping one around him, she built him up gradually. His breathing started to increase, until he asked another question with a shaky voice.

"Liv, can I touch you, too?"

"Of course."

Having been granted permission, his hands began to caress her. Her body was slick from the water and the bubbles he had added earlier. The flicker of the candlelight danced off their skin, heightening the experience for both of them.

The intensity built between them, and just when Elliot thought he could stand no more, Olivia sank down on him, fusing their bodies together. He dropped his hand from her breast and wrapped both his arms around her, pressing his mouth to the base of her throat. Together they moved as one, causing the water to splash slightly against the sides of the tub. Neither of them noticed. They were so focused on the moment, on being together, that nothing else mattered.

Olivia buried her head in the crook of Elliot's shoulder as she shattered, her body shaking from the onslaught. He followed mere seconds after, clinging to her tightly. As they came down from their high, they soothed one another with whispers and caresses that spoke of their love without using words.

After the haze of bliss had passed, and they had fully returned to the present, Elliot stood. He knew they would need to clean up, and while the tub was luxurious and perfect for relaxing, when it came to practicality and getting clean, it was somewhat lacking. Pulling the plug so the water could drain, he lifted Olivia up into his arms.

Carrying her the few steps across the room to the glass enclosed shower, he stepped inside the enclosure. There, he set her gently on her feet and turned on the spray. Working quickly, he washed her hair first, then her body. When she was clean, he quickly lathered himself and rinsed off. Grabbing a couple of towels, he hastily wrapped one around his waist, then went about taking care of Olivia. Once she was sufficiently dry, he swept her up into his arms again, and carried her into the bedroom.

Pulling back the covers with one hand, he lay her back against the pillows. She blinked up at him sleepily, a question on her face.

"But I thought -"

Silencing her with a soft kiss, he explained.

"We have the rest of our lives to make love in this bed, Olivia. I can see how exhausted you are. Tonight all I want to do is sleep with you in my arms."

A smile broke out over her face, even as her breathing was already starting to even out.

"Then you'd better get under the covers with me, then."

Needing no further invitation, Elliot crawled in on the other side. Pulling Olivia close so she was lying against his chest, he kissed her yet again. She wrapped an arm around his waist and snuggled against him. As he started to drift off to join her in sleep, a sense of calm washed over him. After months of being lost, he was finally home.


They spent the next several days not only getting settled in their new home, but getting acclimated to the new neighborhood. Now it was Sunday night, and they were both getting ready for the following morning. Olivia would be going back to work, and Elliot had an interview with the owner of the gym where he might possibly be going to work as a personal trainer.

Elliot was nervous about his interview, not only what it would entail, but if he would be accepted for the job. Because if he were, he would essentially be a student again. The last time he had officially taken any classes, save for his detective promotion, was when he was in night school studying at a college in Queens during the early years of his marriage.

"El, relax. You're going to do fine. I know you'll get this job. It's something you'll be great at."

Olivia reassured him, already having intuited his mood. She rested her palm against his thigh, trying her best to soothe his nerves. She already had so much faith in him, he just needed to believe in himself more. It wasn't that he didn't – not completely. It was just that now that the moment was so close for another change in his life, some self doubt was creeping back in. All he'd ever known besides the Marines was being a cop. Even though he knew he could never go back to that, could he really do something else?

Ultimately, he realized that he could. Sitting at home thinking all day would solve nothing. Yes, he would be able to spend more time with Eli, but in just a couple of years, his youngest son would be in school. Olivia worked unpredictable hours, and he needed something to fill his schedule. He had always loved the gym, enjoyed the outlet that working out provided. Now he would be able to give that to others while also serving as an impromptu peer counselor to men and women who needed it. It was inevitable that during the training sessions his clients would vent to him about their troubles. Tell him things that they might not be able to tell anyone else. It would feel good to be in a position to help people again, without necessarily being on the front lines.

"Thanks, Liv. I really needed to hear that."

"Call me tomorrow after your interview. I can't guarantee I won't be out on a case when you do, but as long as I'm able to answer, you know I will."

The fact that she wanted to know the results of his interview immediately, rather than wait to discuss it over dinner really enforced just how much she supported him. He promised her that he would call. He also offered to take her out to dinner the following night, even going so far as to pick her up at the precinct.

"El, would you be all right doing that?"

"I wouldn't be able to go inside, Liv. Not yet. But I can meet you outside with the car."

She agreed to the date, and said she would call as soon as possible if she caught a case and had to reschedule. Since it was getting late, they decided to go to bed. Even though they had made love every night since they'd moved into their new home, tonight they just crawled under the covers and held each other as they fell asleep. Tomorrow would be a big day for both of them.

When the alarm went off Monday morning, it was Elliot who heard it first. Truth be told, he had already awoken a few minutes earlier. Giving Olivia a few minutes more to sleep, he headed to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee, then he returned to the bedroom to get dressed. When he got there, he saw that she was already awake and standing in front of her closet.

"Morning, El."

"Morning, Liv. I put the coffee on."

She gave him a warm smile, turning to face him as he stepped closer for a kiss.

"I figured. You know I can't function unless I've had my coffee."

He chuckled softly, her amusing but truthful comment putting his growing nerves at ease. Side by side, they got dressed for the day. When he had spoken to the gym owner last week, he was told to dress casual, so today Elliot opted to wear a pair of khaki colored slacks along with a polo shirt. Then he watched as Olivia completed her outfit by placing her badge on her hip.

Back in the kitchen, they each drank a cup of coffee and ate a bowl of cereal before heading out the door. The drive to the precinct was short, and Elliot dropped Olivia off at work without any problem. He stayed parked at the curb for a few extra moments, watching until she climbed the steps and went inside the building. Only then did he pull away and head back on his way.

He arrived at his interview with plenty of time to spare, and was given some time to look around the facility while he waited. Even though the gym wasn't open yet, it was taking shape nicely. The equipment was all state-of-the-art, and there was plenty of room. It allowed for a lot of personal space without a person feeling crowded or boxed in. Though it wasn't large, there was even a small heated lap pool on the lower level, along with a hot tub for relaxing in after workouts. A lift chair was available for those who needed assistance getting in and out of the water.

"Excuse me, Elliot Stabler?"

A voice from behind startled Elliot from his tour of the gym, and he turned around to greet the man who had called to him. The first thing he noticed was how muscular he was. The second thing he noticed was that his lower left leg was prosthetic. Clearly the man had been through an ordeal of his own. There was no need to feel nervous anymore about what he had gone through, or what had brought him to this point. He would tell the truth today.

"Yes, I'm Elliot Stabler."

"I'm Greg Sullivan, thank you for coming in today."

The two men shook hands, as Greg led back upstairs to where his office was located. Once there, he offered him a cup of coffee, which Elliot accepted. Then, the questions began.

"So, tell me, what do you think of our gym?"

"I think it's a great facility. I can see it doing a lot of good for a lot of people."

They went over a few basics then, such as Elliot's basic knowledge of the equipment and how to use it. Gradually the topic shifted to his job history. Some of that they had covered during their phone conversation the previous week, but now the questions were more in depth.

"So, Elliot, you are a former Marine? And you were a member of the NYPD?"

"Yes, sir. I joined the Marines just out of high school, stayed with them for four years while I made my way through college. Joined the academy right after."

Greg made a few notes on the pad in front of him, then continued with his questions.

"You were with the force how many years?"

"I was with the NYPD for over twenty five years. Sixteen of those were as a Detective with the Special Victims Unit."

Before being prompted, Elliot went on to explain in depth what had caused him to leave the force, and the ensuing troubles he had dealt with as a result of it. Unlike in the past, gone were all traces of shame from his voice as he spoke about what he had dealt with. Greg listened carefully, never once interrupting. Only when Elliot was finished did he ask one more question.

"You also served in Desert Storm, did you not?"

"I did."

"So, you have first hand knowledge of PTSD, not only from a combat standpoint, but from your work on the force as well. That makes you an excellent candidate for this job."

He took a breath, allowing his words to sink in, then continued.

"We need someone who understands what these men and women have been through. I'm confident you will fit in well here. So, what do you say, Elliot? Would you like to join our team?"

Elliot didn't have to think twice about his answer. He reached for the hand outstretched toward him and accepted it. With a firm shake, he gave his reply.

"I'd be honored."


It had taken some additional time to fill out some papers, and get the necessary information about the classes he would need to complete his training. Then Elliot was free to leave. He would be taking a six week course online that was mostly textbook study, then following that, six additional weeks of hands-on training where he would learn everything he would need to know about not only the equipment, but how to teach others.

As soon as he was back to his car, he took out his phone to call Olivia. To his delight, she answered on the first ring.

"Benson."

"It's me."

The tone of her voice changed immediately, going from all business to soft and warm, something special just for him.

"Hey, El. How did everything go?"

"I got the job. I start my training next Monday."

Now he could almost hear the smile in her voice. Even though she had already said as much, he knew she was proud of him. He couldn't wait to see her tonight at dinner. There was so much he wanted to tell her.

"That's great, El. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, Liv. Listen, I know you can't talk long, but just know that I'm looking forward to our dinner tonight, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

Hearing a ring on the other end of the line, presumably from Olivia's desk phone, Elliot knew that she would have to go. Still he was glad that he had said what he needed to for now.

"Okay, El. I'm looking forward to tonight, too. I'll see you later. I love you."

Before he had a chance to say 'I love you, too', the line had been disconnected. Still, he wasn't discouraged. Instead, he headed back home to work out his plans for tonight.

Things were definitely in his favor, because Olivia hadn't been called in on any additional cases, and was getting off at the usual time today. He was currently waiting outside the station to pick her up, so they could go to dinner together.

He was drawn from his daydream when the sound of the car door opening startled him as Olivia let herself into the vehicle and slipped into the passenger seat. She leaned over the console to steal a kiss before putting on her seat belt, then settled back and made herself comfortable.

"So, tell me El. Where are we going for dinner?"

"It's a surprise."

She said nothing out loud, but the smile on her face said plenty. As Elliot pulled into traffic and began navigating his way through the city streets, Olivia watched him carefully. Traffic proved to be a bit of a nuisance, but nothing they hadn't dealt with before. Before long he was parking in front of a restaurant she was very familiar with. It was her favorite, but one she didn't go to all that often. In fact, she had only mentioned to him once how much she loved the place.

Once they were out of the car, he took her hand in his and they walked inside. To Olivia's surprise, even though it was only a Monday, Elliot had called ahead for reservations. She had no clue when he'd done that, but wasn't about to ask and ruin the moment. Instead, she simply followed the hostess as they were led to the table, and given their menus. What did shock her, though, was when Elliot ordered champagne for both of them. She knew he wasn't drinking because of his medication.

"Relax, Liv. I called Dr. Simpson today. She said one or two glasses because of a special occasion won't hurt. I just can't make it a habit."

Olivia said nothing to this, merely nodded. She trusted him, and knew he wouldn't do anything to put his health in jeopardy. Not now. Instead she focused her attention on the menu. Once their orders were placed, and their champagne had been poured, Elliot cleared his throat.

"Olivia, there is something I have to say to you, and I need you to bear with me, okay?"

Olivia's brow furrowed. He looked and sounded so serious. Her own self consciousness immediately tried to jump to conclusions that he was having doubts about the step they had most recently taken, but she quieted her own fears before they could start. Obviously he wouldn't break that to her over a glass of champagne. No, this was something different entirely. This was something important. She would listen to whatever he needed to say.

"I'm listening, El."

Reaching across the table, she covered his hand with her own, and waited.

"This past year has been a difficult one for me. I was on a downward spiral long before what happened with Jenna. I just wasn't able to admit it to myself, let alone anyone else."

He let out an exhale on a shaky breath, then continued.

"My marriage was slowly falling apart, but neither Kathy nor I was willing to admit it. My kids were slowly drifting away from me, it was like they didn't need me anymore. It seemed all I had left was you and the job."

Olivia felt a strange pull in her heart. This wasn't the first time he'd ever said those words to her. Still, she wasn't hurt by it. She just wished she had known how much he had been hurting all along. She would have tried to help sooner.

"Then, Jenna happened. That one act caused a domino chain of events. Because of my actions, I lost everything. My job, my marriage, my family – you."

They were both fighting their emotions now, and Elliot was beginning to wonder if it was in their best interest to have this conversation in a public place. But he was on a roll, and couldn't stop now. Plus, he was almost to the point of what he wanted to tell her.

"I truly thought I was at the end of everything when I showed up at your door that night. You saved me, in more ways than one."

A single tear slipped down Olivia's cheek, and she made no attempt to brush it away. She simply squeezed his hand, and waited for him to continue.

"It wasn't an easy road, but you stuck by me for every step of the journey. Now, we're a couple, living together in our own home, and I have a new job. It's a time for beginnings."

Taking her hand in both of his, he raised it to his lips, kissing it softly.

Then he reached into the pocket of his shirt and removed a small box.

Olivia stopped breathing for a moment, and even began to tremble slightly, but it had nothing to do with fear.

"I know it may seem too soon, after everything I've been through Liv. When I thought everything in my life was coming to an end, I'm back at the beginning again. This time, I want to experience everything life has to offer with you. Say you'll go on this journey with me. Will you marry me?"

Another tear escaped and trailed down Olivia's face, but she didn't hesitate in the slightest with her answer.

"Yes."

As applause echoed around them, Elliot moved from his seat to kneel beside her and slip the ring on her finger, then they both stood together to embrace and share a passionate kiss. They were interrupted only when their food was brought to the table, and informed that in honor of their engagement, the champagne was on the house.

While they ate, Olivia couldn't seem to draw her eyes away from her left hand. She watched as the ring sparkled in the light. This was really happening. Elliot had proposed, and she had accepted. They would be getting married – maybe not right away, but they would be getting married.

Later that night, once they were back home again, and had celebrated in their own way by making love, they were cuddled together in their bed under the covers. Elliot was softly stroking the skin of Olivia's bare back with his fingers as she lay pressed against him, his lips caressing her forehead.

"Hey El?"

"Yeah, Liv?"

She raised her head so she could look him directly in the eyes.

"This is going to be a great beginning for us."

He kissed her tenderly, full of emotion.

"It already is."

The End


A/N : This brings us to the end of the story, but an epilogue will follow. Many thanks to all who have offered their support by reading, reviewing, following or adding this to their favorites.