AN: Thanks to everyone that's been reading this story. I'm sorry it took so long to get back to it! But this is the ending. Enjoy.

EOEOEOEO

Two months later

Olivia saw Elliot sitting at a table near the back. As soon as he saw her, he broke into smile and she wove through the tables to meet him. She still felt butterflies in her stomach each time she saw him now, wondering what emotions would be dredged up over the course of the evening.

That fateful night in his apartment, when he'd held her in his arms and she had agreed to try to figure this out with him, seemed so long ago. They had both been busy, or maybe she was still trying to keep him at arm's length, but whatever the reasons, this was only their fourth time they'd been able to meet since that night.

The past three had been good. Tentative beginnings followed by a return to familiarity. They had laid some ground rules, agreeing that nothing was off limits. They had both agreed to respect each other's emotions and feelings and thoughts, without argument. To keep them true to their word, they had mutually agreed that for now, they should meet in public. That meant dinners in restaurants, where they could sit and linger with a nice dinner and a glass of wine, and conversation would be civil.

It was the closest thing to real communication they'd ever had. They had talked about who they were now, what had changed, and the forces that had changed them. They asked questions about things that had long gone unanswered. She was learning a lot about Elliot. It made her see him in a completely different way. She was pretty sure he felt the same way about her.

There hadn't been any declarations of love between them, but there was an unspoken understanding there, as the underlying current. They hadn't spoken about what the future held for them…but nothing had been taken off the table. There hadn't been a kiss, or intimacy of any kind beyond the hug in her apartment and yet they both felt the pull that could lead them there.

"Hey." Elliot stood up as she neared. Olivia smiled. He'd been big on formalities, holding door's open and such, at each of these meetings. It made these dinners seem more like dates, but she knew he was just trying to be on his best behavior. She leaned in and he kissed her cheek before she sat down across from him.

"I ordered some wine, but then I thought, maybe you wanted something different, so if that's not what you want…"

"Wine is fine." Olivia said, putting a stop to his rambling.

Elliot nodded. "OK." He didn't know why he was so nervous. Maybe because he couldn't help but think that one of these nights, she wouldn't show up. Or she would decide this was their last meeting. Even though Olivia had never given him any indication of either.

"I'm sorry we had to reschedule the other night." Olivia said. "You know. Work." She said as she grasped the menu in front of her.

"No problem." Elliot said. "I'm just glad we could find a night that worked."

"Were you afraid that I wasn't going to reschedule?" Olivia could sense that Elliot was as nervous as she was.

"Maybe a little." Elliot confessed.

"We agreed that we were going to be honest with each other." Olivia said. She wanted to let him know that she'd been serious when she agreed to that. "If I wasn't going to meet you again, I would tell you that I was done." She gave him a small smile as she leaned back in her chair. "So far, you haven't done anything to piss me off and make me want to ditch you."

"So far?" Elliot laughed. He appreciated her efforts to ease his fears. "Are you expecting me to do something that'll tick you off?"

Olivia shrugged, but she smiled as she did it.

The waiter delivered their wine, but Elliot asked the waiter to give them a few minutes before ordering. Elliot lifted his glass and took a sip, and Olivia did the same. They both set their glasses down on the table, but there was an awkward silence between them.

Elliot leaned forward. "I want to tell you something."

Olivia raised a brow in question, hoping that he remembered the ground rules they'd set.

"I'm always a little nervous before we get together."

"I already told you that if I wasn't going to show, I'd tell you."

"It's not that." Elliot said, leaning back in his chair. "I think I'm worried about how the night will go. That I'll say something or do something that'll make you decide this isn't worth it."

Olivia nodded. "I feel the same way."

"I thought I'd be over it by now." Elliot said.

"I know." Olivia agreed. She shrugged one shoulder. "Maybe it's a good thing."

"Why would it be a good thing?" Elliot asked.

"It means we care about how this goes."

"I guess." Elliot sighed. He watched as Olivia fiddled with the stem of her wineglass. "I've really enjoyed spending this time with you." He said, repeating the same thing he'd told her at the end of every dinner together.

Olivia flashed him a smile. "Me too."

"I'm wondering, if maybe…it's time to move on." He saw the look of concern on Olivia's face. "Not like that…" He said, even though he wasn't quite sure what was on her mind. "I just meant…these dinners have been good. But, these nicer restaurants…" He shrugged slightly. "They make it seem more formal." He reached across the table and pressed his hand against hers, stilling it against the wineglass. "I thought that maybe tonight, we could do something different."

"What?" Olivia was surprised by his suggestion, not sure of his intent.

"Let's go somewhere else. Get a burger and a beer."

Olivia broke into a smile. That sounded so fantastic, and she was almost sorry she hadn't suggested it herself.

"I'll take that as a yes?" He saw Olivia nod. Elliot fished his wallet out of his back pocket and took out a twenty-dollar bill and tossed it on the table. "Let's go."

Olivia pushed through the door to the restaurant with Elliot close on her heels. "Which way?"

Elliot jerked his head to the right and they both headed that way, falling into an easy stride. They walked about two blocks before Elliot slipped his hand into Olivia's. He couldn't hold back a smile when she didn't pull away. In fact, he felt her squeeze his hand slightly as they walked, and he sighed in relief.

This was them.

"Thank you." Olivia said. "The last three dinners were good, but tonight felt…"

"We're ready to move on."

"I guess so." She trusted their new relationship more now. She couldn't say that she didn't go home and spend hours after revisiting their conversation, but for the most part, she was happy with the progress they'd made. She hadn't lied when she said she was still nervous prior to their dinners, but it was mixed with excitement and anticipation. She glanced over at Elliot and smiled. Six months ago, if someone had told her that she'd be walking down the street holding hands with Elliot, she would have taken them to Bellevue.

"What's that smile for?" Elliot asked.

"I'm just happy to be here. With you." Olivia loved that she could be honest with him like this. The old Olivia would have been terrified to say something like that, but her attitude had changed. She had already lost him once and it had been one of the most painful times in her life. Now that they'd made the mutual decision to work on their friendship, or whatever it became, she knew she had to give it everything she had. It had been incredibly hard for her at first, but now, it was freeing. Her honesty had spurred him to speak up as well, and while it wasn't always perfect, it was getting damned close.

Her change of attitude and mood hadn't gone unnoticed by Amaro and the others in the squad room, but if they wondered about the cause of it, they had wisely kept their questions to themselves.

"Well, I'm happy that you're happy." Elliot said, feeling himself grinning from ear to ear. They came up on a small corner joint they had visited a few times before. "How about here?"

"Sure."

Elliot held the door open for her, ushering her through. She didn't argue as he placed his hand on the small of her back and followed her in to the bar. It was a little crowded, and he couldn't help but notice a couple of guys checking her out as they walked by. In the time they'd been apart, he'd forgotten about the looks and comments she'd elicited, but he couldn't blame them.

He thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

They found a small table in the back and they both slid into their respective seats on either side of the booth. Elliot couldn't help but notice how Olivia crossed her leg, pressing her foot against shin, and he wondered if it was purposeful or just due to the size of the booth.

They both ordered a beer and a burger, and it just felt so normal.

"Something's changed." Elliot said.

Their waiter was back with their beers but was gone just as quickly. Olivia wrapped her hand around the handle. "What do you mean?"

"Change of venue, change of attitude?"

Olivia shrugged. "This just feels more like…us."

Elliot had noticed the word us, but he let it go. He didn't want to ruin the casual mood the change in venue had created. "Are you saying the probationary period is over?" Elliot chuckled.

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Who said there was a probationary period? And if there is, why would you think I'm in charge?"

"You're always in charge."

Olivia shook her head, but there was a smile on her face. She had missed this playfulness between them. "I'm just saying that I'm glad we're here."

Elliot knew she wasn't talking about the restaurant. "Me too."

Olivia glanced down at her beer, feeling a slight flush in her cheeks. She didn't know if it was the change in their mutual moods, or if it was the way Elliot was looking at her, but she hid behind her mug, taking a sip of her beer. Elliot was right. Something had definitely shifted, and she knew she was responsible for a lot of it. Sometime in the past couple of days, she had realized that she was happier than she had been in a long time. Elliot was all in; he wasn't going anywhere. He had been attentive without pushing, checking in via text every once in a while. She had texted him on the days he wasn't in contact with her.

They had found a good balance, and she was hopeful.

Their burgers came, along with another round of beers. They chatted easily, catching up on Fin's new girlfriend, Munch's latest conspiracies, and a few of Olivia's cases. They talked about Elliot's security assignments, and the latest with the kids.

"Hey, that reminds me. I have Eli this weekend and I was thinking about taking him to the Central Park Zoo." Elliot forged ahead. "I thought that maybe, you'd like to see him. Maybe…come with us." He knew that her acceptance signaled a big change for them. They hadn't brought anyone into their new reality, preferring to keep it to themselves for now.

Olivia nodded. "I'd really like that."

"Good." Elliot felt something loosening inside of him. The hope he'd been harboring felt brighter now.

"If I'm not intruding."

"Eli will be happy to see you." Elliot says. "He knows the story."

"He's five." Olivia couldn't help the feeling of warmth that spread over her when Elliot told her that Eli knew who she was.

"Well, he doesn't know all the details. But he knows who you are."

"Well, I'd really like that." Olivia said, and she meant it. "It's a date."

"Will that count as our first date?" Elliot asked, trying to make it come out as playful, but feeling the emotion behind it. By the look on Olivia's face, she felt it too.

"No." She said. She dropped her eyes to her beer and ran her finger around the rim of the mug.

"Oh." Elliot said, and even he could hear the disappointment in his voice.

"I kind of thought maybe this was our first date." Olivia said, looking up at him through her lashes.

"Yeah?" Elliot broke into a grin, feeling the heat of her stare and her words. Just when he thought he couldn't be happier, she surprised him. He reached across the table and took her hand in his, torn between showing restraint and letting her know how much this leap of faith meant to him. In lieu of anything, he just sat there with this ridiculous grin on his face. He saw a matching smile on her face, so he assumed she knew how he felt.

Olivia turned her hand and tangled her fingers with hi. "I was even thinking, that if you play your cards right, you may even get a shot at a redo on that first kiss."

Now Elliot really couldn't keep the grin off his face. All his good fortune was piling up. He squeezed her hand. "You'd better believe me when I say, I'm going to be on my best possible behavior."

"We'll see." Olivia said as she pulled her hand back from his and took a sip of her beer.

"You ready to go?" Elliot asked, raising one eyebrow.

"We haven't even eaten yet." Olivia reacted, before she realized he was teasing her. "Got it." She shook her head. "Not yet."

As luck would have it, their burgers and another round of beers were delivered just moments later. Elliot couldn't help but stare at her during the meal, and he was torn between wanting to spend more time with her and wanting the evening to end so he could get that kiss. But luckily, they fell back into easy conversation over their dinner, and he relaxed into it. So much so, that when she suggested they leave an hour later, he was somewhat surprised.

"It's still early." Elliot said, looking at his watch.

"It's been a long day." Olivia said. "And there is only so much of the Stabler charm I can handle in one day." She smirked at him. "Besides, it's a beautiful night, so we can walk home."

"It's got to be at least 3 miles to your apartment."

"I need to walk off this burger and these beers." She winked at him. "Have to watch my figure."

"I've been watching your figure, and it looks just fine from what I can see." He knew she'd thrown that softball up there, probably to see if he'd comment or not, but he didn't mind batting at it. "You're always the most beautiful woman in the room."

Olivia felt herself flush slightly. She wasn't used to hearing comments on her physical traits from him, and she'd been kind of surprised he'd felt comfortable saying anything at all. She supposed the promised kiss had set the stage for that kind of comment, and she had to admit it made her feel good. "Thank you."

"Let's get out of here." Elliot wasn't sure how he was going to last for three miles, but as luck would have it, when they got outside, it had started to rain. It was light, but they would be drenched if they walked. Olivia didn't argue as he hailed a cab, and she rattled off her address as they slid inside and closed the door.

Elliot counted every one of the thirty minutes it took in the grid-locked traffic to get to her place.

The rain had picked up, which complicated things a bit for Olivia. She had intended on a quick goodnight on the sidewalk, in the darker recesses away from the lights. As the cab glided to a stop, she turned to Elliot. "Walk me inside?"

Elliot was glad that she had invited him in. He was worried that she would end up jumping out of the cab with a rushed good night and leave him wistfully waiting for a chance at that kiss. He paid the driver quickly and followed her out of the cab, and they both rushed to get inside and out of the rain. Elliot tried really hard to focus on anything but her ass as he walked up the stairs behind her, but gave in. He was only human.

They reached Olivia's door and she turned around quickly, making him pull up short. She had her keys in her hand and a half smile on her face. "I had a really good time tonight."

Elliot chuckled at the clichéd line. "Me too."

"I know that sounds stupid, but I really did. Tonight, just felt…different." She knew a lot of it was her. She was letting go a little. Trusting him more. Allowing herself to hope.

"It's not stupid. I know exactly what you're saying." He took a few steps closer, closing the gap between them. He reached up and ran a finger along her jawline. "You know I feel the same way." His eyes lingered on her lips for a moment before meeting her eyes again. He wanted that kiss, but he wasn't going to make the same mistake he'd made before. Even though she'd give what sounded like permission at the bar, he needed her to make the first move. He dropped his hand from her face and shifted on his feet.

Olivia's heart was beating in anticipation, but she could sense Elliot's hesitation. She appreciated it, but right now, but was surprised that Elliot wasn't being more forward when she'd pretty much told him what she wanted to happen. "Well…"

"Well…" Elliot shoved his hands in his pockets to keep himself from reaching out and touching her again. He shifted on his feet again, waiting her out.

Olivia couldn't take the anticipation any longer. She took a step closer, her body only inches from his, and placed a hand against the wall of his chest. She lifted her head slightly, looking up at him through her lashes, her lips close to brushing against his. "El…"

Elliot heard his name in one heated breath, and her intent was clear. He pulled his hands from his pockets and slid them up the outside of her arms, until he was framing her face with his hands. He tilted her head up slightly, staring right into her eyes. He heard a sharp intake of breath as he leaned in and then his lips were on hers. He kissed her softly at first, tasting, testing. He pulled her lower lip gently in between his, sucking lightly before releasing her mouth. It was just for a moment though. He slid the fingers of his right hand into her hair and tilted her head slightly, pressing his mouth more demandingly against hers. Olivia hummed in appreciation, and he felt her hands move to his waist, pulling him slightly closer. She opened her mouth to him, and he deepened the kiss.

Olivia felt the kiss all the way down to her toes and she dug her fingers into the material at his waist, clutching his shirt in her hands. Elliot slid his left hand from her jaw over her shoulder and down her back, until it settled on the small of her back and she couldn't stop thinking about where else she wanted him to touch her. She felt herself shiver at the thought, and she dug her fingers into the waistband of Elliot's jeans.

Elliot tugged Olivia's hair slightly, forcing her head back a little, before he slipped his tongue inside of her mouth. He knew this was going much farther than any first kiss should, but this was so much more. It was the beginning of something…the break in the proverbial dam of lust and desire that had been in place for more years than he could count.

Olivia knew now what people meant when they said they felt weak in the knees. Her passion matched Elliot's and she wasn't holding back. Kissing Elliot was like everything she had ever imagined, and he was slowly walking her backwards, until she felt the hard surface of the door behind her. It was a harsh reminder that they were standing outside of her apartment, and she pushed back against Elliot's chest, breaking the kiss. "El." She said, trying to breath and to regain her composure. At that moment, the elevator dinged, and she looked past him, down the hall, and watched as one of her neighbors emerged.

Elliot dropped his hands from her but braced one arm against the door. His mind was drunk with the taste of feel of her, and he stared at her lips, hungry for more. "Yeah." He said, trying to slow his breathing and his heart rate.

"I think I'd better…" She motioned towards the door behind her.

"Are you going to invite me in?" He knew he was being presumptuous. She had promised a kiss and he knew he shouldn't push her, but he couldn't think straight.

Olivia knew exactly what Elliot was asking, and she wanted that more than everything right now. But she'd been intent on taking things slowly and tonight was already a huge step forward for them. She wasn't sure she was ready…that they were ready…for everything that sex between them implied. "Don't you think you've had enough kissing for one night?" She said playfully, wanting to keep things light. "Besides, this is our first date. I don't typically let strange men into my apartment."

Elliot accepted her denial with grace. He knew she was absolutely right. "That's probably a good policy." He said, giving her a small smile as he looked down at her. He knew they were playing a game now, but it was good. It gave them both a chance to cool off a little and end the evening on a high note. "You never know what kind of trouble you might get in to."

Olivia smiled, lifting her head slightly and brushing her lips against his. "Luckily, we already have a second date on the books."

The promise in those words was all Elliot needed. He gave her a soft kiss, and then himself off the door and took a few steps backwards. He smiled, seeing the flush in her cheeks that undoubtedly matched his. "Good night Liv."

Olivia watched as Elliot turned and walked back down the hallway. He glanced back once and gave her a quick wave before he disappeared, and Olivia couldn't help but smile.

A chance meeting had brought them back together, but now, they were in charge of their future. It seemed that for once, fate was working in her favor. It had brought Elliot back to her, right where he belonged. She smiled as she let herself into her apartment, looking forward to the days…weeks…years ahead.