You guys are truly the best. Here is the next update. Will it always be angst you ask? No. But we got a bit more ahead of us. But we will end with some hope.

But my stories will ALWAYS end with happy EO. ALWAYS. And that's a promise I can keep.

This one goes out to my fellow Jen on twitter who also loves another favorite TV couple of mine. In this chapter...there is also a nod to another Show I love. A couple that I shipped forever and ever. JavaJunkie. If you know. You know. And you'll know when you read it if you do. One of my favorite scenes ever in that show and it seemed to me like it would fit so well here.

I will update when I can!

Disclaimer - I OWN NOTHING.

Olivia woke up in bed the next morning feeling like someone had sucker punched her. She ached. She barely remembered leaving the bar. Barely remembered getting home. But she knew John and Fin had brought her to her apartment. She was a mess. She knew that. Knew she had cried harder in front of them than she had in years. She thought she remembered at one point John asking Fin if they should take her somewhere else. They were worried. She was unravelling. But Fin had sent John home. But he never left.

She rolled over in bed and knew he would still be out there on the couch. It both comforted her and scared her. She knew he'd make her talk and she didn't know what the hell to say. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was past 9. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept that late. Realizing she needed to face the music at some point. Climbing out of the bed, she went into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, washed her face and never looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't want to. She was afraid of what she would see if she did.

Walking back to her room, she shivered and went to get a sweatshirt. Her hand fell on an old gray one. And the burning in the back of her eyes returned. She grabbed it and tossed it towards the back of the closet. She couldn't even look at it. He had given it to her one night after...

They were lying on the bed, both trying to control their breathing. Tonight had been more intense than usual. They were unhinged. Couldn't get enough of each other. Her legs were trembling, she felt a cramp in her calf but she didn't care. Looking over at him, she saw a satisfied smile on his face.

"Damn we're good at that." She pushed a hand to her chest and laughed, "It's a good thing we're both in such good shape."

Elliot chuckled and turned to look at her, "I've been slacking on my workouts lately. I've been preoccupied."

She smirked, leaned in and kissed him, "I think you burn enough calories in bed with me. But we can up our sessions if you feel you're slipping."

He growled, rolled her over in bed and started to attack her neck, "Jesus Olivia."

She giggled and let her hands slide down his back, she could go for another round. But it was already so late. And if she stayed longer, it would be even harder to leave. It was getting harder and harder each time. But she couldn't stay. If she stayed, she would let herself think this was more than what it was. And it would hurt that much worse when it all ended.

"Elliot," She gasped and her eyes fell shut when his lips encircled her nipple, his teeth tugged on it and her body shook, "Fuck."

His large hand slid down between her breasts, running along her smooth skin. His finger ran around her navel and down farther, "Yes?"

She was breathing hard again, falling back into that place where he had all control. She had to stop this. Had to pull away. At least for tonight. As much as she wanted it, she couldn't let it happen. She couldn't stay. Couldn't stay here in his arms or she'd never be able to leave. "Stop."

His fingers were just hovering over her aching core and he froze. His head looked up. Unsure if he had heard her correctly. But if he did. He had to stop. Of course he would stop. Always. But...did she really want that? "What?"

She sighed, her cheeks burning as she looked at him and it took all her strength to repeat herself, "I said, stop."

She heard him sigh, roll over on his side and she knew he knew what was coming next, "Okay."

They both lay there for a moment, lost in thought. Lost in all the unspoken things they both needed and wanted to say but couldn't. She put a tentative hand on his shoulder, "We have a long day at court tomorrow and-"

"Yeah. I know." He smiled slightly, but didn't look at her, "It's fine."

But it wasn't fine. They both knew it wasn't fine. Turning away from him, she rolled off the bed and started gathering up her clothes. It was cold. And the immediate loss of his body heat made it that much worse. Her legs were shaking as she changed but she refused to acknowledge it. Looking for her sweatshirt, she sighed when she picked it up when she remembered she had spilled beer all over it when they were eating dinner. He had made her laugh and she knocked over the bottle. It was still wet and she didn't want to put it on. But it was cold. So cold…

And suddenly he was standing beside her, holding out his gray sweatshirt. The one that always seemed to somehow end up in her possession. Her fingers reached out for it, and their hands touched. Neither one of them moved. She could feel it. He could feel it. And yet they couldn't do it. Couldn't take the jump.

He smirked at her and leaned in, kissing her forehead, "Don't say I never gave you anything."

Her eyes lifted to look at him, but only for a moment. Any longer and she'd crack. She'd kiss him and fall into his arms. Fall back into his bed. And she'd never be able to then. He turned, unable to look at her any longer. Unable to hold it all in. She heard him go into the bathroom, and heard the shower turn on. Her knees shook and she had to force herself to move. As she walked out of the apartment, she slipped on his sweatshirt, lifted it to her face and breathed in. It felt like being wrapped in his arms again. And that was the only thing that got her to move forward.

Pulling on one of her own sweatshirts, she wiped at her tears and walked out to the living room. She had to face Fin sooner rather than later and just wanted it to be over. He was sitting on the couch, looking at his phone. She wondered for a moment how long he had been awake. Or if he had even gone to sleep. She imagined in her state last night, she had probably worried the hell out of him.

Fin looked up and smiled, "Hey." He lifted his phone, "John wants to know if you need anything."

She shook her head and walked further into the room, "No. Tell him thank you. But no."

He nodded, typed a response and then put it on the coffee table, "You hungry?"

Curling up in the corner of the couch, she pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her knees, "No. If you are...I hate to admit it but I have no food."

Fin chuckled, "I figured. But I'm fine." He turned towards her, "So…"

She sighed and pressed her forehead into her knees, "Fin I'm mortified."

She heard him move again and reach for her, "Liv? How long have we known each other? It's alright. You don't have to feel that way. You know I always got you."

She lifted her head slightly, and looked at him, "Last night was…"

He smiled sadly and squeezed her arm, "Yeah...it was." She didn't say anything in response and he pushed on, "So how long have you two been…" He shrugged, his face flushed, "Ya know…"

She bit down hard on her lip and sighed, "A few months. But...it's over now."

Fin laughed and sat back in his seat, "Liv, I hate to break it to you, but it's not over. It's definitely not over."

She growled and pressed her palm into her eye, "Fuck. I know. I know…"

He let her stew a moment, let her figure out what was going on in her head. "You want to talk about it?"

She dropped her hand and lifted one shoulder sadly, "What's there to talk about? I think it was pretty obvious…"

Fin smiled sadly, "The Detective in me put a few pieces together. Let me know if I'm on the right track?" She blinked at him, then nodded, letting him continue, "So I'm thinking that after you got back from Oregon...or at least sometime soon after you guys ...ya know." She nodded slowly and he shifted, "And it continued...but it was...complicated. You compartmentalized it. Wanting to keep what you had at work. And somewhere along the line...Stabler decided it wasn't enough? Decided he wanted more? Something real?"

She smiled sadly to herself, "Well, no one can tell you you're bad at your job Detective."

Fin laughed and moved closer to her, "So I assume when he told you that he wanted more...you got scared. Pushed him away. Told him you couldn't be more than just...whatever it was you were. Told him you couldn't be more than just partners and friends?" Olivia nodded again, "And at work the other day...he told you he'd do that. For you. But last night...once he saw you flirting with that tool bag, he changed his mind."

She tugged at a string on the arm of her sweatshirt, "That about wraps it up in a nice little fucking bow."

They sat there in silence for a moment until Fin asked the question, "Liv? Why can't you be more?"

Her head snapped up to look at him, surprised by his words, "What?"

He shrugged his shoulders and asked again, "Why can't you be more?"

Her mouth hung open and her arms fell away from her knees, "We just...we can't. That's not how this works. We work together. We're...not. And he's not...he's confused. He's lonely after the divorce and-"

"Oh." Fin nodded slowly and stood up, "I see. That's what you think."

She let her feet fall down to the ground, she gripped the cushion of the couch, "Fin-"

He stood across from her and smiled, "I know that I came into the squad a little later than you...but Liv, girl you two have never been just friends. Never been just partners at work. It's always been there."

She cringed and looked down at her hands, "He was married Fin."

"You're right." Her head snapped up again, "He was married. But he's not now."

She stuttered for a moment, unable to get the words out, "He-he-and Kathy-he's just-I'm not."

Fin sighed heavily and walked back over to her. He sat down beside ether, took her hand and placed them on his lap, "I'm going to say something and I want you to really listen, okay?" She nodded slowly, "Stabler's never been my favorite person. That's obvious. I tend to think he can be arrogant and stubborn. Thinks he is invincible. But the one thing I've always admired about him is his convictions. His beliefs and his ability to protect the people he loves." He saw the tears brimming in her eyes, "He stayed with Kathy...he tried to make it work. And yeah, he loved her. Maybe part of him always will. But he's not in love with her anymore. He's in love with you." He heard the gasp escape her lips and he smiled, "Come on Benson...you're a better Detective than me and you don't see that?"

She shook her head adamantly and pulled her hand away, "No. No Fin. He doesnt love me. He can't love me."

Now he sighed in frustration, "Why the hell not?" She looked over at him, surprised by the aggression in his voice, "Why the hell not Olivia?"

She stopped, clenched and unclentched her fists, "Because I'm a fucking mess."

Fin laughed then, he stood up and walked towards her, "Hate to break it to you but all of us are a mess. Especially us...the things we see fuck with our heads. We're not normal. We're all scarred and always will be. Maybe that's why you two make so much sense. You understand each other."

Olivia backed away again, ran a hand through her unruly hair, "Fin this is crazy! It can't happen! It just can't! He's just lonely. I saw that with Dani and-"

"Dani?" He was confused at first and then clicked, "You mean Beck?" The way her cheeks flushed gave him his answer, "I don't know what you think you saw or know...but Liv I was there. He was fucking miserable without you. He was trying to track you down. He was so worried about you. He practically ripped Huang and Cragen a new one trying to make sure you were safe. And Dani? She was just a filler. She was never and could never be you. What you think you are to him...that's what she was. Just a filler. She was filling the void you left behind."

Her face crumbled and she covered it with her hands, "I don't know what to do. I just don't know what to do."

He took a deep breath and walked to her, quickly he wrapped her in his arms, "I think you do. But you're just scared. And I get that. I really do." He squeezed her tight, "But this is the moment Liv...when you have to decide once and for all what you really want. Stabler asked you that last night and deep down we both know what your answer should have been."

He pulled away then and she took a few steadying breaths, "He'll never forgive me though."

Fin smield and squeezed her shoulder, "You won't know unless you try." He started to back away, reached for his phone and his jacket, "Listen I gotta go. It's my weekend to work. I told Cragen I'd be a bit late but I need to get going. Why don't you go back to sleep. Really think about something's. If you need me, call me. I'll come over if I can."

She stepped closer to him, "Fin…"

He looked up, leaned in and kissed her cheek, "You're allowed to be happy Liv. More than that...you deserve to be happy. Just remember that."

Turning, he walked towards the door and left her alone again. Alone with her thoughts. Alone with her memories and regrets. Alone with the realization that she had a big choice to make. A choice that would either make or break her. A choice that would change everything for everyone. Either way, there was no getting this out of unscathed somehow. But one choice could potentially kill her. While the other...it could change things...but maybe it could also save her. Save them all.

So now what?

The remainder of the day passed in a blur. She puttered around the apartment. Cleaned, did laundry. All the things that took a back seat to her career. And in between each activity, she would cry and crawl back into bed because something would remind her of him. She hadn't eaten anything all day. But she had no appetite. Her eyes fluttered open after another brief but restless sleep. Her room was dark. It was night now. Rolling over on her bed, she looked up at the ceiling and thought about how lonely she fucking felt. She had been alone most of her life and had handled it. But now it hurt like hell.

She wanted her best friend. But wasn't that the damn problem?

Three years into their partnership

Olivia was having a shitty day. A shitty week. She knew she was irritable. Knew she was being a pain in the ass. Knew she had overstepped more than a few boundaries. But no one said anything. Not until Cragen sent her home early telling her to get a good night's sleep and come back with a better attitude in the morning.

She was sitting on the couch, stewing in her anger that was really a mask for what was really bugging her. She had been home for about two hours. Alone. Just sitting there staring mindlessly at the TV that played some rerun she really didn't care about. She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard a knock on the door. Confused, she walked to the door with shaky legs, looked in the peep hole and sighed. She should have known.

Yanking the door open, she had to laugh when she saw him. He was leaning against the doorframe. That infuriating yet sexy as hell smirk on his face. He lifted a brown paper bag and smiled, "Crab Rangoon?"

She rolled her eyes but instantly felt her body relax, stepping aside she sighed, "What are you doing here Elliot?"

He stepped into the apartment like he'd done a million times before. He moved easily to the kitchen, starting pulling out plates without asking, "Thought you might be hungry. And knowing you like I do, I knew you wouldn't have any food. And given the terrible mood you were in I knew you'd forget to even order something. Because you don't know how to take care of yourself."

She plopped down at the counter and frowned, "I do too!"

He shot her a look over his shoulder, "At work? Sure. You can protect yourself. But...at home? All the little things a person needs to do like feed themselves, go to the doctors? Liv, you suck at that."

She wanted to feel angry, offended but she had to laugh, "Fuck you."

He smiled, knowing she hadn't meant it. He slid a plate in front of her, and one in front of himself. Grabbing two forks from the drawer in front of him he held it out to her, "You're so charming, ya know that?"

She shook her head and looked down at her plate, pushing the food around with her fork. "Yeah. I know. Must be why I-"

She stopped talking but he knew she was holding something back, "Must be why you what?"

She looked up, saw him take a bite of his food but his eyes never left hers. She scooped up a bite of pork fried rice and shook her head, "Nothing."

He sighed again, "Why do you always do that?" Her head looked up at him, she didn't need to respond for him to know what she was going to say, "Why do you always push me away when something is going on? Hold back on the details."

Her cheeks flushed and she looked down at her plate, "I don't."

He laughed and stood up a little straighter, putting his fork down he sighed, "Yeah. You do. I understood it in the beginning, but haven't we been through enough by now for you to know that I'm here?"

Her heart ached as she listened to his words. Did he know how much what he was saying was killing her? "I...I know you're here El. I know. I just...it's not important. It's nothing…"

"It's clearly something." He leaned into her again, "Something that's bothering you. Something that's making you upset." She didn't respond, his voice got low and he asked, "Someone?"

She swallowed hard and she knew he saw it. Knew he knew what was coming next, "It doesn't matter."

Elliot took a deep breath, "Whoever he was...whatever he did." Her eyes slowly lifted to his, "He's an idiot. And he doesn't deserve you. You deserve the world Liv. The fucking world. And until you find the guy that is willing to give you that...don't settle. I won't let you."

She bit down hard on her lip, her eyes fell to the ring on his finger, "Elliot…"

"And I'll kick anyone's ass who hurts you. I hope you know that. Give me his address and I'll pay him a visit. It will be a short visit. But he'll get the picture." He smirked and stood up again and walked towards the fridge, "Got any beer?"

She was trying to hold the tears in so she didn't look at him when she answered, "Yeah."

He opened the fridge and clapped his hands once, "Woman never has food but she always has beer."

"Priorities." She said with a smirk as he walked over to her and popped up the cap, "I think I've got them straight."

He chuckled as he lifted the bottle to his lips, "Guess so."

She picked at the label on her beer and whispered the question that was on the tip of her lips, "How did you know?"

He paused for a moment, confused by her question. But then he understood. How did he know what was wrong without needing to hear the answer. He smiled, reached out and put his hand over her arm, "Because you're my best friend." He heard her take a sharp breath and he smiled, "Come on...you knew that. Didn't you?"

She was quiet again, but smiled, "Yeah...I guess I did."

He gave her a quick wink and lifted his bottle towards her, "To best friends."

Her heart ached at his words. If only he could be so much more. But if this was all she had with him, it would be enough. At least he was here. She clinked her bottle with his and smiled, "To best friends."

Before she could process what she was doing, she was sitting up in her bed. Her phone clutched in her hand. She was dialing the number. The number she knew by heart. The number she had called a million times. It rang. And rang. But he didn't answer and she didn't expect him to. She heard his voice on the machine. And before she could stop herself she was rambling through her tears.

"Hey...it's me." She sniffled sadly. "I know...I have no right to be calling. Not after...but the thing is I'm not doing so well right now. And I was wondering...do you remember that time you came over? I think I'd only been working at SVU for a couple of years. Cragen sent me home because I was being such a bitch. The guy I had been seeing had cheated on me and I was just...tired. I was so fucking tired of it all. And you were there. I didn't even need to tell you. You just knew. And you told me...told me that I deserved the world. And you wouldn't let me settle for anything less. Because you were my best friend. And I'm just sitting here thinking…" Her voice cracked and she rested her head against her headboard, "You offered me the world and I threw it all away. I threw it away El and I'm so sorry. I'm so God damn sorry. It's just all so hard...everything. Thinking about all of it. You. Me. My life. Our partnership. All the things we haven't ever said...it's overwhelming. And I'm falling apart. And the thing is...I just want...I need my best friend. And that's you...but I can't. I can't ask you too...but God I need-" She broke then, "Please, please come over. I...I need you. I need my best friend. Please-"

And suddenly she realized what she had done. Slamming her phone down on the bed she gasped, "Oh, my God."

She flung the comforter off of her legs and immediately beelined towards the door.

Elliot had been in the shower when she called but he had heard it ringing. He thought it was one of the kids calling to check in. He figured he'd just call them back when he was done. Climbing out of the shower, he wrapped the towel around his waist and moved around the bathroom getting situated. When he was dressed again, he grabbed for the phone without looking at it and pressed play on the message. "Hey, it's me."

He sat up straighter and listened to the message. She was the last person he expected to hear from tonight. He thought that the bridge had been completely burned and torn to the ground. Every single word that fell from her lips was breaking him. Of course he remembered. He remembered it all. Every single fucking moment good and bad. And yes she did deserve the world. He wanted to give her the world. She sounded so afraid. Sounded so broken. And in that moment, it didn't even matter if she pushed him away again. Didn't matter if she broke his fucking heart again. He couldn't let her be alone. He was still her best friend, even if he tried to say he wasn't.

As he walked towards the door, he dialed her number. He needed to hear her voice. Needed her to know he was coming to her. That he would always come to her. No matter what. But she didn't answer, "Liv. It's me. Call me back."

He started running then, getting to the stairs and bolting down them. Just missing her walking out of the elevator and running towards his apartment.

Two strangers in the night. Always. She tore down the hallway to his apartment. She hadn't been here since that night...that awful night when everything imploded. She lifted her hand, knocked and waited. She was pretty sure she was going to either pass out or have a heart attack but she had to get his phone. She didn't even know what she would say...but she just had to get it, and delete that completely mortifying message before he heard it. She knocked again, more frantically but he didn't answer.

"Can I help you?" A voice behind her made her turn quick.

Olivia pressed a hand to her belly, "Oh! Hi. I...I'm looking for Elliot Stabler."

The man nodded, "Oh, you're his partner. I've seen you here before." The man smiled and held out his hand, "We met briefly, I'm Jason Gove. The building manager."

Olivia nodded, "Yes. Hi. I remember. Yes I'm his partner. I uh...I left something here. For one of our cases? And I really need it...but he's not home. I think he may be visiting with his kids. I know that you don't usually...but do you think you could let me in? I wouldn't ask if it wasn't urgent."

Jason reached for his pocket, "You are a member of the NYPD...I suppose I can trust you. I wouldn't want to hinder a case."

She let out a little shaky breath, "Thank you. Thank you so much!"

The door opened and she ran in without hesitating. Her eyes scanned the apartment, and everything she looked at reminded her of something, some moment they shared. She wanted to throw something. As she moved around the apartment, she saw so many signs that he had been here recently and she wondered...where was he now. But no matter where she looked...she couldn't find his phone. He had it with him. She wanted to throw up. He was going to hear the message. Or maybe...maybe he was so angry at her that he would just delete it?

Please God, let him delete it.

She was so lost in her thoughts she didn't realize Jason was still behind her. Clearly waiting for her to be done so he could lock it again. She had to grab something otherwise her cover would be blown. Her eyes fell to a notebook on the table. She didn't know what it was. But she grabbed it, "Ah! Here it is."

When she turned, she saw that Jason seemed to believe her, "Great. That's it?"

She nodded slowly, walked towards him even though her legs felt like they were led in. Walking towards the door she smiled, "Yep! This is it. I'm all set now. Thank you." She held up the notebook as they stepped into the hallway, "Truly, I appreciate it. Sorry if I woke you up."

He smiled and shook his head, "No problem. Get home safe, yeah?"

She nodded and started to back away, "I will. Thanks again."

At her apartment, Elliot was banging on the door frantically and alternating between calling her. But the stubborn woman wasn't answering. He thought he could hear her phone inside ringing. "Damn it Olivia. Answer the door!'

She really was trying to kill him. He was two seconds away from trying to kick it in when the door beside him whipped open. "Jesus Christ, do you know what time it is?" The older man yelled.

Elliot whipped around, his heart was pounding but he still cringed. The last thing he needed was to get arrested tonight but damn it...at the moemnt he didn't fucking care. "Hi. Mr. Carr. I'm sorry. Yes. I know what time it is. But I was looking for-"

"Olivia?" He yawned and rubbed the back of his neck, "Don't you two spend enough time together at work?"

Elliot's face burned and he shoved his hands in his pockets, "We uh...we had a tough case and I just need to-"

The man sighed and shook his head, "Hang on. My wife has a spare key for emergencies."

Elliot waited, but felt like he was going to be sick. What if he walked in there and found something awful? She sounded so on edge. Please God let her be okay. Mr. Carr came back out and handed him the key, "Thank you. I'm so sorry for waking you up."

The man nodded, "It's fine. Olivia can give the key back whenever. Just uh…" He paused and looked at Elliot, "Take care of her, yeah?"

Elliot swallowed hard and nodded, "I'll do my best…"

Elliot waited until her neighbor was gone and then turned to the door. He opened it and flew, and immediately called for her. But she didn't answer. He tore through the apartment, desperate to find her. To know she was okay. He had to know she was okay. Even if they weren't okay...she had to be.

Her bedroom looked disheveled. The sheets and comforter were scrunched up. And there in the middle lay her phone. Forgotten. He reached for it, saw his ten missed calls and 2 voice mails. The bed still felt warm. She had been here. But where the hell was she now? Suddenly he heard keys in the lock again and he jumped, he dropped her phone and ran towards the living room.

She froze when she saw him, "Elliot."

He let out a strangled breath and stomped towards her, "Are you okay?"

Her hands fell to her side and she pushed the door shut behind her, "Yeah. I-"

He moved even closer, his heart was rattling away in his chest. "Are you sure? I got here and there was no answer."

She cringed, looked down at his hand which held his phone, "You got my message."

"Yeah. I was home but in the shower and couldn't reach the phone. I called back but you didn't answer so I ran over here. I knocked and knocked but you didn't…" He frowned, "I woke up Mr. Carr next door and-"

She put a hand to her forehead, she felt worse and worse, "Oh, my God."

He shook his head, "It's okay. He wasn't mad."

She whimpered then and looked away, "I'm so sorry Elliot. I will never do this to you ever again. I'm absolutely humiliated. I was hurting and I knew if I called you'd come over and I never should have done that."

He reached for her gently, "It's okay."

She pulled away and shook her head adamantly, "No. It's not okay. It's not okay. I'm not that girl. I'm not the one who cries and falls apart and calls her…" She cringed, "Partner to come and save her. Thank you so much for coming, and for finding your way in to check on me. You're an amazing guy for doing that."

She lifted her hand holding the notebook and he looked down, confused, "What's that?"

She smiled sadly at it, "It's a notebook from your place."

He frowned then, and held a hand to his chest as he took it from her, "From my place?"

She laughed sadly and wiped a tear away, "The last crazy thing you will ever have to endure from me. I promise." She paused, and he looked both scared and confused, "I ran to your apartment. Hoped somehow I could get your damn phone before you heard it. But apparently you were on your way here...we must have just missed each other. Like you, I must have disturbed people. Your landlord let me in. Recognized me. I told him I needed something for a case. And obviously I had to take something to make it look believable or I'd be arrested…"

He frowned and let the notebook fall to his side, "Liv…

She lifted her shoulder and whispered sadly, "I just want you to know that I heard you last night at the bar. I heard you when you said you can't do it. That you can't be my friend. Or my partner. I heard you and I'm going to respect that. From now on."

He stood there, his mind screaming. What did that mean? Did she think he was walking away forever? Yes he had been angry. Yes he had been hurt. And yes he didn't want to be her partner or her friend. But he could never walk away forever. But he didn't seem able to form the correct words, so instead he said, "Okay…"

She sniffled again, walked past him and pointed to the door, "You should go. It's late. I'll be fine."

He stood there, just staring at him but she wouldn't look at him. Wouldn't acknowledge his presence any longer. She was trying to protect herself again. Trying to push him away. He took a few steps towards the door, faltered and looked back at her. But she turned away and started to walk back towards her bedroom. He waited until he heard her bedroom door shut. Then he walked out the door and into the hallway. He was halfway down the hall when he stopped.

He stood there. Feeling like he had been run over by a truck. Feeling like someone had shot him. Actually this felt worse. So much worse. He shoved his hand in his pocket and he felt it, the key that Mr. Carr had given him. He had a way back in. And for once...he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

Turning around, he walked back towards the door. She was going to be so mad. She was probably going to push him away. Yell. Scream. Put up the wall. And quite honestly he didn't fucking care. She could throw grenades at him right now and he wouldn't run. He'd stand there and untangle this mess once and for all. Because she deserved the world and he was going to make her fucking see that he would give it all to her. She said she had thrown it all away, but it was still there. It was right here, all she had to do was tell him she wanted it too.

Turning the key in the lock, he walked back into the apartment and shut the door behind him again and tossed the notebook on the couch. Walking towards her bedroom, he stood outside for a moment. It was quiet, but he could hear her crying and it was the most painful thing he had ever heard. This was it. Now or never.

Turning the door knob, he pushed it open and he suddenly saw her freeze. Saw her sit up in the bed, stare at him with fear. He sighed, walked into the room and took a slow deep breath. He had to be the one to speak first, "I'm not out Liv. It's not over. I'm right here. And I'm not going anywhere."

He crossed the room, sat down on the bed and pulled her into his arms just as the dam broke. She didn't push him away, didn't fight him, didn't yell, didn't deny him. Instead she wrapped her arms tight around him and cried. Cried harder than he'd seen her cry in all the years he had known her. And while it broke his heart, while it scared him, it also made him think that maybe there was a chance after all…

A chance for them to make this right. A chance for her to let him stay

I could literally end the story here butttt I'm not THAT cruel lol TBC!