Author's Note: I'm not entirely sure where this came from? But it's an experiment in form and tense, based on some of the discussion on Twitter lately about the ring Olivia wore while they were undercover in "Bombshell," which is when the "then" section is set.

Title comes from "Guitar String/Wedding Ring" by Carly Rae Jepsen.

i. (then)

Olivia wasn't sure why her and Elliot actively chose to be a married couple when going undercover at this seedy sex club, but she wouldn't complain. Given her unrealized feelings toward him and his fully realized tendencies toward unfailing marital devotion, this'd be the closest they'd ever get to anything approaching reality together.

"They gave me this at the briefing, to make it look more convincing or something." He held out a slender diamond ring for her appraisal: it was stunning, one she'd choose for herself, if she ever got the chance to be someone's lucky bride. "Mind if I –"

"No, go ahead."

He slid the ring on her finger, with an unreadably wistful smile. What was he thinking about? "To partners, and always having each other's back. Right?"

Of course, it fit perfectly, and she didn't want to think about how they knew what ring size to get for her. "Always. I got your six, remember, El?" She had to laugh, because if she didn't, she wouldn't be responsible for her reaction.

"I don't want you to forget."

No time to think about hypotheticals; in another time, under different circumstances, having Elliot Stabler put a ring on her finger and make a promise to her would be the happiest night of her life, but instead, it was just another night at work, and didn't mean anything.

The diamond glinted in the streetlights as she admired its sparkle on her finger; they'd be convincing, for sure. And if she was going to get this one opportunity to be his wife in public, she was going to take it for all it was worth.

He took her hand in his as they left the car and walked out into the night; she didn't want him to ever let her go.

ii. (now)

The last few months have indescribably changed his life.

He's back in New York – Kathy's gone; Olivia's back in his life and doesn't totally hate him – and he's staying; he's signed a lease on a new place near the river and moves in next week.

He remembers looking out over the Hudson with her on the night of Fin's almost-wedding, wine glasses in hand; it was the most alive he'd felt in so long. It'd also been the closest they'd been in as long.

Kathy's death's being avenged; for once, he sees a path forward into his future.

The last thing he has to do is shed his final anchor holding him taut. His ring slides off his finger – almost too easily – and he tucks it in his dresser drawer with a sigh of finality. One of his girls might want it.

He breathes, waits, and breathes again. The original impulse fades as it comes; it's quickly replaced by a new, stronger, screaming impulse that isn't fading, only increasing.

He calls her, hope suspended; he waits until he hears her voice, a sound he never again wants to go without hearing, before breathing. "Liv?"

"Yeah?"

Now or never: it's now.

iii. (always)

The ring he'll choose for her will be classic and elegant – understated, yet beautiful, just like he'd always looked at her.

"To partners," he'll say, as the ring will sit in his hands, begging to being slid onto her finger to snugly stay until the end of time, "then, now and always. It's you and me, Olivia, if you'll have me."

And the words she never thought she'd say, to any man, let alone Elliot, will come spilling from her lips.

"Yes, I'll marry you."

Their lips will join; he'll slide on her ring.

Their devotion will forever be bound.

-fini-