Chapter 3

It wasn't until much later that night that Olivia was awoken. She dragged her feet to the door and opened it sluggishly. "Kathy?"

Kathy walked into the room upset. She held a handkerchief in one hand and a bottle of liquor in the other.

"Kathy what's going on? Are you ok?" Olivia tried to get her to talk but all Kathy did was stumble around. Olivia helped her into her apartment and onto the couch.

"What's wrong Kathy?"

"It's Elliot."

"Did something happen to him?" Olivia frowned in worry. But Kathy just shook her head, "he fell in love." And with that she fell asleep on Olivia's couch.

Olivia got up, she needed coffee, work would start in another four hours, there was no way she'd get any more sleep. She called Elliot up on his cell phone, he didn't answer, so she left a message.

"I don't know what happened, El, between you and me, between you and Kathy- but things have changed. Things have really really changed… I think it's best if I left SVU. There's a job opportunity in California that I've been looking at- it may do us some good if we're apart for awhile. Let me know what you think."

But soon days had gone by, weeks, and even a month. Elliot wasn't talking to Kathy, Kathy wasn't talking to Olivia, and Olivia was getting ready to leave. She had gotten the job in California, they accepted her without a blink, now all she had to do was pack. It was harder then she imaged. Everything she had gone through, all she had lived with- all in New York. And now, now she was leaving. Her mom was no longer alive, her father still not found, her job ending, a friendship ending. California was going to be the start of her new life. It should have excited her- but there was still that voice way down deep that told her to stay, with him.

It came to no surprise really that on her last day of work Elliot wasn't there. The other SVU members gave her a little going-away party, cake and soda- nothing too extravagant. She hugged everyone, thanked them, told them to keep in contact, and then she was on her way. The moving truck had already left New York, and she had a plane to catch.

The taxi dropped her off at the airport, now she was only a few hours away from her own little renaissance. She carried a small tote bag for her carry on- and dropped off her luggage. There wasn't much to do from then till the plane took off, the airport was less busy then she had originally expected. She wandered from store to store, looking at magazines, buying a few little toy trinkets that said I Love New York on them- for sentimental reasons.

Finally the time had passed and she walked over to her terminal. She took in a deep breath, it was going to be a long trip- but a much needed one. Thanks to a raise, she ordered first class seating- which also meant that she would be with the last group of people to board the plane. It wasn't until her group was called to be seated that a familiar voice rung.

"Olivia! Wait!" Elliot shouted as he ran up to her terminal. Olivia turned around startled, she didn't think he'd show up.

"What are you doing here?" she asked with a frown as he ran up to her out of breath and with a smile. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, and would not let go.

"I can't let you go. You mean too much to me. You either stay with me, or I'll go with you." He held her tighter, "I love you."

Olivia dropped her tote bag at this point, she slid her arms around him now, taking in his scent. He pulled away from her a moment planting his lips against hers. Olivia smiled as she bowed her head down, blushing bright red. Elliot smiled back at her.

"So what's it going to be, California or New York? Either place I'll be right there with you."

Olivia thought a moment, she was looking forward to starting over in California, but she did already miss New York.

"Well you know, I think both of us need a vacation," she smiled. Elliot broke away from her and walked up to the counter.

"Are there any other available seats on this flight?"

The woman behind the desk nodded, "Yes, in fact a seat in first class just opened."

"I'll take it."

Olivia smiled as she picked up her tote bag from the floor. She was turning to join Elliot when a woman tapped her shoulder. Olivia turned around.

"I think you dropped this," the elder woman said.

Olivia looked at it, it was a necklace; a heart. Engraved on it was 'destiny'. Olivia smiled, "keep it", then with the fullest heart, walked with Elliot to the plane.

The End.