A/N: That last chapter saw Elliot go down the rabbit hole. I'm excited for this story to continue.

Thank you guys so much for reading and reviewing and I can only hope that you guys are enjoying this as much as I am.

Im sorry for such a late update, life has been crazy lately. And I also apologize for this chapter being so short, I'm getting back in the groove.

I'm just patiently waiting for Dick Wolf to catch up, and hopefully he'll give Bensler and us the season we deserve!! It's time! Enjoy ;)

Elliot POV

We finished our respective breakfasts, and I helped clean up. We talked about the job, our kids, my grandkids, and she got a kick out of calling me grandpa. She strolled over to the couch, and took a seat. "I want to tell you about Noah." It took me by surprise, but I immediately responded. "Ok." I took a seat across from her, and she began.

"I found him as an infant. We were investigating a child pornography case, and I found him in a hotel room. His mother was a girl named Ellie, and she was sex trafficked by a man named Johnny Drake. He turned out to be Noah's biological father. Ellie was trying to get her life back on track, to get Noah back. But, she relapsed and was murdered. At that time, no one knew who his biological father was, and he went to the state. I went to every court hearing. I just felt drawn. Eventually, I was at a hearing, and Trevor Langan had represented Ellie, and chose to represent Noah as well." I nodded and she continued.

"So, I was there, standing in the back,and they were going to place him in another home. When the judge looks up at me. And she asks me if I'd be interested in becoming a foster mother for Noah. I was taken aback at first, but I agreed. I was excited and scared all at the same time. But, I knew from the first moment I held Noah, the he was my son. It was a very powerful connection." I felt joy and happiness for her, I knew how important being a mother was for her. She's always wanted to be a mother.

"The judge also said that she would revisit the case in one year, and that at that time, I'd have the opportunity to fully adopt him. And I did. Trevor Langan helped me. The happiest day of my life. Also bittersweet."

"Why bittersweet?" She had that faraway look in her eyes.

"The day the adoption was finalized, was also the day my partner left the force, Amaro. But it was good. Parted on good terms." My mind automatically went to when I left her. Without a word. She deserved so much more. I don't think I'll ever live that guilt down. She must've seen it flash on my face.

"Elliot, our partnership was different- and Amaro knew this. It was what it was." She pulled her legs up underneath her, and tugged the throw she had lying over the couch on her. I wanted so much to touch her. But, I stayed glued to my spot. Now was just not the time. I looked over at her, and there was a slight smile playing across her lips, and she continued talking.

"Before I adopted Noah, Johnny D found out that Noah was his biological son, and he tried to use that to get off. Tried to claim he was a changed man for his son. Even tried to file for custody. But the jury wasn't buying it. And he saw that they weren't. So, somehow, he got a gun into the court room and opened fire. Shot the judge, killed a cop and tried to escape. Amaro shot him."

Thank God for that. If that would've worked, it would've been tragic.

"So, a few years went by, and the usual things with children, sicknesses, working this job- it was hard. And there were times when I just needed to talk to you. But, I- we- got through. But the worst moment- was when Noah was kidnapped." Here it was. This was it. I worked to keep any knowing looks off my face. An automatic reaction, I reached out to her. My hand connected on her arm, and I didn't expect to feel the tingling sensation that I felt. I wasn't even thinking about it. "Liv, what happened?"

She gave me a look, and I watched her decide not to address whatever it was she noticed. She just took a deep breath and began her tale.

"Ellie's mother had found us here in New York- with a private investigator. She contested for custody, and that failed. Then, she said she wanted to be a part of our lives. Naturally, I was cautious and suspicious, but after time, we fell in to a fairly good place, a good push and pull. It was nice. And Noah was happy- thrilled even- to have a grandmother. So, I allowed it. And was eventually sideswiped. Her name was Sheila. And she was heartbroken over Ellie. She loved her daughter, and she saw Noah as her second chance."

"And I should've seen it. I'm trained for these things. By that time, I had made Lieutenant, and was Commander of SVU. I'd had to work that day, and Sheila wanted to take him to the mall to buy him a winter coat. So I said yes. I should've seen it." She ran her hand through her hair and looked down, shame filling her features. I rubbed her arm. "Liv, you know how hard it is to see certain things, especially when you're in the middle." She looked me in the eyes, and the look in her eyes melted me and kinda scared me at the same time.

"I know. I think I just wanted it to work too much. That's what Rafa- Barba told me at the time. Anyway- while they were at the mall, he disappeared. So, of course, I wasn't staying out of it. And I have to hand it to Sheila- she put on the act of her life. And by the time we tracked down that it was her, she was gone. She'd taken him and they were both just- in the wind."

"So, I went to her apartment thinking that I might catch them there, but there was no one. She had taken the only thing that mattered to her- a picture she had of Ellie. And I knew she was never coming back. I was angry and sick. And I felt like my heart had been ripped from my chest. The worst pain imaginable. If it took everything I had I was going to find them."

I know that feeling well. There's nothing like your kids being in danger, or gone. My kids had never been just gone, but I know if that had ever happened, I'd probably kill the person responsible. I rubbed her arm and nodded for her to continue.

"I had been ordered by the Chief to stand down. Like hell I was going to do that. I was racking my brain, trying to think of where she would've gone. Then I remembered that she told me about a cabin that her sister had owned. I dug and found out that the cabin was in New Hampshire. And I went." There was nothing gonna stop her from getting her son I knew that. "Did you go alone?" She gives me an incredulous look.

"Yes, I did. I wasn't waiting. I was going to get my son back."

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this. And again, I'm really sorry about the late update. Please read and review!!