A/N: Ok. Some stuff in here will be similar to chapter 3 stuff…just for timeline, they overlap a bit. Just making sure there were no holes in the story.

Thanx a bunch to all the reviewers!

After talking with captain Cragen, Olivia felt even worse. She thought that knowing she'd be able to go elsewhere and get away from the mess she'd gotten herself into would have helped to alleviate the emotional weight she'd felt on her shoulders…but now she felt as though she was still carrying this weight but was walking on broken glass too. The sadness and hopelessness was almost too much to hide. She'd cried while saying goodbye to her 'family' before she walked out of the station and now she was in her car driving to her apartment for what could very well be the last time.

Captain Cragen had called a friend of his in San Francisco whom he knew was looking for another member in the homicide unit. They'd even found her a small apartment that would have to do until she found herself one on her own. It's not exactly what she'd hoped for but at the last minute like this, she couldn't expect much. At least she had a job and would be able to get over Elliot without having to see and work with him everyday.

Olivia was startled out of her thoughts by the ringing of her cell phone. Sighing she plucked it out of her belt clip to see who it was, not wanting to answer if it turned out to be Elliot…again. Fortunately, she didn't have to avoid him; it was Alex on the line.

"Hi Alex." She answered immediately, knowing the speech she'd be getting for the next few minutes.

"What are you doing? You quit?"

"Yes, Alex, I quit."

"Why? What happened? What are you …"

"Don't even say it. I'm not running. It's just time for a change of scenery, I want to expand the different kinds of experience I get. Homicide will be good for me." She lied, trying to cover up her true motivation for leaving but knowing that her friend would see right through it.

"Is that the story you're sticking to? You know I don't believe you one bit…Where are you right now? Are you on your way home?"

Olivia sighed. "Yes, I should be home in about 10 minutes."

"Ok. I'm on my way."

"What? Why?...Alex…!" Olivia tried to protest, but Alex had already hung up. Great. Now I have to face the wrath that is Alex in person.

Olivia arrived home, parked her car, walked into her apartment and locked the door behind her. She had to pack a few things quickly and call the airport, the movers…

She picked up the phone and called the airlines first, no sense in doing the rest until she knew she could actually leave today. She was in luck, there was a flight leaving in two and a half hours and they had a few seats left. The lady on the other end of the line proceeded to tell her that because of their last minute deal, the seats were on sale. She took the flight information down and gave the lady her credit card information. She walked to her room and pulled a small travel bag out of her closet and threw in a change of clothes, her personal items and a book to read on the plane. Then she heard the front door buzzer ring. Even before she looked out the peep-hole, she knew it was Alex, but seeing her standing there impatiently with her hands on her hips, made Olivia smile a little. Only Alex had the nerve to face a fuming Olivia and not get her head bitten off.

"Olivia open the door!" She did and faced the perplexed blonde, waiting and ready for a fight.

"What happened?" Alex asked again.

"What makes you think something happened?" Olivia queried.

"Don't play dumb with me Olivia. The guys said that you slammed your resignation, gun and badge down on Cragen's desk, when you left you were crying, and they spoke to Elliot…we know something happened."

Olivia's mouth dropped before she could stop it, but she quickly regained composure. "Who spoke to Elliot?"

"I think it was Fin…why?"

"What did Elliot say?...NO! Never mind that. It doesn't matter! He hurt me Alex. I thought that over anyone else, I could trust him. I told him I loved him, because I felt safe with him…that he would take it for what it is and not be a jerk or an ass about it…but you know what? He never even said it back! Then he ran to that Melissa woman the first chance he got and had a total mood swing. He's never snapped at me before, Alex. And he never will again." She prattled out, determined to see her move through. Nothing was going to stop her from getting to San Francisco.

"Do you know who this woman is, other than his ex-fiancee? Do you know the details? What happened between them? Maybe there's a reason for all this…" Alex tried to convince her friend. "Did you even let him explain?"

"No. He doesn't even know I'm leaving yet. And I'd like to keep it that way until I'm safely on my way." Olivia admitted harshly and bowed her head.

"'Livia, you can't tell me you feel nothing for him anymore. You've loved him for five years…" Olivia's head snapped up and she stared at Alex with wide eyes. "You can't just shut that off." Alex finished.

"I…We never…How…?" Olivia stuttered.

"I know nothing ever happened between you two…until last night it turns out." Alex smirked and kept going. "But you both have been in love with each other for ages and although Munch and Fin might be too dense to pick up on it, a woman can." She concluded, jerking a thumb at herself.

Olivia's anger and determination seemed to falter a bit as she sat on the couch. Alex took a chance and sat next to her.

"I don't know what I'm doing, Alex. I love him and I told him so. Then he ran to another woman. I shouldn't have to let him explain. He hurt me. You know the expression 'Hurt me once, shame on you. Hurt me twice, shame on me.'? Well, I'm not going to give him the chance to hurt me again. I'm leaving. Cap's found me a job in San Francisco so I'll settle in there and start a new life." Her eyes welled up with tears as she continued, "I'll get over Elliot…eventually…and he'll find another partner. Things will be less complicated this way." She got up and trudged over to her room to grab her travel bag.

When she came back out, Alex was standing in the kitchen staring down at the information Olivia had scribbled about her flight.

"You're really doing this?"

"Yes." Olivia whispered. Alex nodded and turned toward the door. Olivia followed her and accepted the hug Alex gave her before leaving. Olivia's eyes misted over when she thought about how much she would miss her friends. She was leaving a lot behind. Friends who had become her family, her apartment, the city she now knew like the back of her hand, the memories…and the man she loved. The man I love who hurt me. she reaffirmed.

Picking up the phone, she dialed the number she'd found for the moving company. In their ad, they mentioned that they would pack your things, move them and unpack them at the destination. One less thing Olivia had to worry about.

"Hello, my name is Olivia Benson and I was hoping you would have some guys and a truck available to pack up and move some stuff today…To San Francisco…Really? That's great. My address is 159 Dudley St., apartment 9 and the address over in San Francisco is 27 Miller St., apartment 3. Sure, thanks. The Super can let you in and the faster it can get done without breaking anything, the better. There's nothing really that heavy to move, so it shouldn't take long to pack the truck….Thanks again and I'll see you guys in San Francisco." She hung up and left her apartment for the last time.

Olivia sat in the waiting room, looking around at nothing. Her eyes wouldn't focus on anything; all she could do was think about Elliot. She'd told him once after a especially difficult case that she'd always have his back. And now she was leaving. She'd failed him…But he failed me first…kind of…sort of… She shook her head, demanding the anger and determination come back. It was easier to convince herself to leave when she was angry. Then she heard it.

"Liv?" his voice said softly. Oh god. It's him. Olivia's head whipped around; anger instinctively taking control of her emotions.

"Get away from me El…Elliot." she spat the words out, deliberately using his full name. She didn't want him to use her nickname and she no longer wanted to use his. It had too much symbolism…too many memories attached to it.

"Liv, please…" he begged. He seemed to almost whimper. He's hurting too. And I'm involuntarily causing that pain…NO! Don't let him back in! she thought to herself and interrupted him.

"Don't call me that. You lost that right. You hurt me Stabler."

"I'm sorry…" he whispered.

"Sorry! I told you I love you…loved you and you …you were engaged to her…I never knew…I don't even know who you are anymore…" She tried to make a coherent sentence but just as jumbled as her thoughts were, her words came out the same. Once again she could feel herself tear up, but refuse to let him see how he'd gotten to her. He continued talking, pleading to her back.

"Melissa was before Kathy…Liv, please…let me explain…"

"Shut up!" Olivia screamed, whirling around and glaring at him. She tried hard to hide the pain behind fury and was secretly relieved that the overhead speakers called her flight boarding right then. Attention all passengers for flight 519 to San Francisco, we will begin boarding in 5 minutes.

"Goodbye, Elliot" she said as she stepped past him and walked toward the little desk.

"Liv…" She didn't stop at the sound of her nickname. "Olivia…" Elliot reached out and touched her arm at which she pulled away from him aggressively, a tear finally breaking through her self-built wall. Her lips forming a tight line, she whispered, "Don't touch me! I don't ever want to hear your name again!" and stalked off, leaving a destroyed Elliot behind her.

From a few meters away, Alex watched the scene play out between her two friends. She herself was crying now. She'd heard both sides of the story and had hoped that all would resolve itself quickly…but after having seen this, she wasn't so sure their respective personalities could work it out. Maybe they'd need a little nudge. She smiled a hopeful smile as she looked down at her plane ticket.

"Now all I have to do is get passed Elliot without him seeing me." She said aloud to herself. Not that that would be such a problem, she thought as she saw him staring blankly ahead into nothingness. She walked casually to the desk with her own travel bag in hand. With a quick glance behind her, she noticed Elliot hadn't moved. She boarded the plane.

"Excuse me sir. Would you mind changing seats with me?" Alex said as she addressed the man sitting next to Olivia, giving him her most convincing smile – which, for an ADA, and a beautiful one at that, was easy. The man did not take much convincing.

"Alex, what are you doing here?"

"I'm going to San Francisco with you to help you get settled." She replied mysteriously. Olivia didn't buy it.

"Are you sure you don't have a mischievous plan up your sleeve?"

"Nope! Just a friend being there for another friend." She reassured. "But I am going to try to convince you one more time. I really think you should talk to Elliot and let him…" she stopped talking as Olivia gave her a menacing glare.

"I know you mean well Alex, but I can't. I can't face him." Alex nodded, solemnly. She didn't think it would require much more convincing on her part. She simply thought Olivia needed a little push in the right direction. Alex's plan was to talk to Olivia about the situation, maybe give her a little insight into it all from what Fin had told her of Elliot's side of the story. Then when Elliot came looking for her (which she knew he eventually would), she'd be there to be Olivia's voice of reason.

"Ok then…do you think you could read a letter if he sent you one, or an email?" she suggested. She'd have to tell Elliot to write one but hey, it could work.

"Alex, please. I really don't want to talk about this now. I just want to sleep the whole way there and then find my new place and sleep some more." She emphasized her point by resting her head on the headrest and closing her eyes.

"Ok. Sure. But I'll be here if you want to talk." Alex offered. She was worried about Olivia but didn't want to push too much otherwise she might shut her out too. Alex got comfortable in her seat and pulled out her book. After a few minutes, she came to the decision that trying to read among the noise around her was futile so she put her book down and decided to follow Olivia's lead by tilting her head back. Before she shut her eyes, she noticed Elliot marching up the aisle toward them. I guess my plan will have to come to fruition earlier than I thought. she thought.

A/N: No cliff hanger on this one…the next chapter's already up!