They stood facing each other in the silent hallway, their matching breaths the only sound they heard. Then..."Elliot? I...I don't...I.." Olivia didn't know who moved first. She just knew that one moment she was yelling his name and the next she was flying, running into his arms, and he was flying towards her just as fast. He caught her, picking her up in a fashion most unprofessional for an NYPD captain. Not that she could bring herself to care at the moment. His lips covered hers in a needy passionate kiss. Elliot's lips…lips she had spent years thinking about tasted like early morning coffee, chocolate, and home. Breathlessly, she pulled back, shocked at her own actions. She slid back down his muscled body, breathing heavily. Olivia put a shaky finger to her lips before watching his face break out into his signature cocky grin, brighter than the time Porter had offered her a ride and he had snarkily said he was good. And then., she flew at him, punches flying at his chest, the wrenching sobs erupting from her chest with force. To his credit, he stood there murmuring to her to let it out, that he deserved it. That he was sorry. They stood there like that for a few long minutes until Olivia was drained and dropped her hands. "You son of a bitch, you left me! Its been TEN YEARS! No call, no, text, nothing! And you just show up and I..." Olivia flushes red, embarrassed at what had happened in the last 5 minutes. No one made her react like he did. "Hey. First of all...I've wanted to kiss you for 23 years. Dream of it, of you, every night. And I deserved every punch and more. But let me explain. Please." Olivia shook her head. "I...I have to get home. I'm already late." "Liv, I'll ride with you. Just hear me out, please? And then if you want me to go, I'll go." She knew the answer before she said it. "Fine." He followed her out to the car, stroking his lip as he did, then got in as she started driving. "Start explaining." "Yes ma'am. I know I was wrong for leaving, for hurting you. I just didn't see any other way without destroying you, us. After Jenna...I was lost in myself. 1PP was trying to push me out. Said I was unstable. Insinuated you were too, working with me. I was a mess. I started drinking, getting angry...I couldn't let you see me like that. Couldn't be another person that destroyed you like that. So I put in my papers, and went off on binges. Kathy told me we needed to start fresh. Get out. Made us all move to Italy. That's where I've been. I wanted to tell you, I did. I just..if we had spoken.. If I had heard your voice, I could not have left Liv. But I thought of you. Every single day, I prayed for you. Dreamt of you. You were in my head telling me to get my head on straight, whispering things I wish were real. Id look out at Italy and see you in everything. Think of how you'd enjoy it. Or I'd turn to tell you something and you weren't there. And the longer it got, the more I felt I couldn't come back. It had been to long, and Kathy...she was happy. I knew if I came home to you I would never leave. I couldn't do that to her. And then...she stopped being happy. She found someone else. Liv...she asked for a divorce and I gave her one. But I couldn't come home to you until it was final. I couldn't come here and be anything less than 100% yours. They were finalized last night. We tried, we really tried. But in the end I couldn't deny myself anymore, I couldn't deny the truth that lived rent free in my head anymore. I haven't been in love with her for a very long time. I think since a certain day in 1999. I tried to do right by her, and I tried to be a good husband, but Liv...Olivia...it was you. It was always you. And I'm asking my partner...my best friend...if maybe you'll give me a chance? I'm not leaving you. Not ever again." He let out a shaky breath, knowing how much he had just unloaded, and watched her pull up to an unfamiliar building. She parked and turned to him, silent tears running down her face. "You've been in my head too. You got me through some of the worst days of my life, and in my head you were there for the happiest. The proudest. So many things have changed. But. My feelings haven't. I..I'm scared to give you that chance. I...it's not just me anymore." His head jerked up at that. "You...you have someone. I should have known. I'm sorry. I..." "No. Not a... I have a son. Noah. He's everything." He grinned at that, tearing up. "A son. Congratulations. I always knew it would happen. I'm so happy for you Liv." He reached out and hugged her tight, and she let him. "I want to be part of your life, and in Noah's life, in any capacity you'll let me. But I was hoping...and it's been a long time since I've done this, so forgive me. Olivia Benson...would you go out on a date with me?" Olivia inhaled sharply. This was so not where she thought her day would go when she woke up this morning. But she also knew that she had been waiting and wanting this moment for 23 years. So she did the only thing she could. She said yes.