Elliot POV

Home sweet station house. I love this place….hate some of the job, but love my house. Almost feels like home, but still….kinda weird with Kathy in here. Oh, hey…quick elevators today.

"Thanks for letting me stop by. I was…"

"You don't have to say. Just checking on Olivia and the case. And I'll just wait outside." Sounds almost disappointed.

"You don't have to do that. You're welcome here…just, uh, don't get to chatty with Munch."

"Right. Conspiracy this.." I love her laugh.

Wow, really fast elevator. People look surprised to see me…hey, buddy…don't look at her like that. Uh oh….there's Dad.

"Stabler...what are you doing here? Oh, Kathy….good to see you. It's been far to long."

"Sure has."

"Cap'n. I swear I'm not here to beg to work….I just wanted to…"

"She's at her desk. Kathy, you and I can chat in my office."

Thank God Cragen didn't ask, he just knew. But I need to talk to my partner…who's apparently asleep at her desk. I'll just sit over here….and.

"Workin' hard there Liv."

She jumps…startled her I guess. Kinda funny. "Elliot! Oh my God….what are you doing here?"

"Kathy and I were just in the city and…I needed to see you. See how it was going"

"Munch and I are on the trail…we're setting up a little operation right now. It feels good….we're so close."

"Good."

"And?"

"What….I can't just stop by…"

"Nope. I know you remember. There's something else."

Damn. Sometimes I hate she knows me so well. Hmm, maybe better than Kathy does, I think.

"Let's talk….someplace not so public."

"Sure."

We walk upstairs to the Crib. Spent many a night here….just because I didn't want to go home and open up. But it's perfect…no one will bother us up here.

"So, Elliot…"

"I wanted to talk with you about what's been up with me lately. Sit."

She looks worried. She's the best partner a guy could ask for. "Okay. Shoot."

"After I was. Sent home and Kathy came home. She heard I was sent home and she got worried."

"Of course she was. She really loves you Elliot."

"I know. I know."

"Yeah…so out with it already."

"You always got my number Liv. We were talking and Kathy….said she was going to leave me. Take the kids and leave me."

She looks as shocked as I did, "My God…did she say why?"

"Yeah, she did. Because I couldn't talk about work. She said that if I wouldn't have talked to her this time, then she would have been gone. And maybe, somewhere deep down…I knew it."

"You okay…knowing?"

"Yeah…I just wanted to let you know that…you were right. You told me I would ruin the best thing in my life."

"Elliot. I know it's hard to just say what you see everyday. But you were the bigger man…you talk. What I wanna know is….how do you plan on making in up to her? All the silence for so long."

This'll get her. I pull the ring box out of my pocket. I open it and show her my little surprise….well, not exactly so little.

"Wow Stabler. Never knew you felt this way….but this is so sudden…" It's good to see her smile.

"Liv, I'm serious. I never got the chance to get her a real ring….hell, even our wedding was kinda…well, not what she wanted either."

"I'm pretty sure she got at least one thing she wanted."

"Easy there…but I appreciate the complement."

"So, when do you plan on telling her about this…rock?"

"Soon…but I want to renew our vows…for our anniversary. I know that much."

"Geez, Stabler. Getting soft on me?"

"Nah, just realized what I have that's all. Plus, truth be told…I've always been a hopeless romantic."

"Well, I'm just glad you're okay…and she's okay….speaking of, shouldn't you get back to her?"

"Yeah…before Munch shows up….."