A season ⅞ story that has been rattling around in my brain for MONTHS. Finally ready to put it down on paper. Takes place after Olivia comes to see Elliot at the precinct following the fight with Blaine and the whole "I liked that shirt" conversation. Elliot is missing her, realizing he has feelings and sees her in a specific dress. The dress from the 911 episode (a crime he never saw her in it) and once he sees that...all bets are off. But in typical EO fashion (and me as a writer) there are a few unexpected roadblocks that threaten their relationship. How far is Elliot willing to go when it comes to Olivia? Let's read and find out…

**I OWN NOTHING

It had been another shitty day, and an even shittier night. It seemed like since she left they were all bad. Walking down the city street, his suit jacket hanging over his arm, he sighed heavily. Spinning the keys on his fingers to his new apartment, he felt alone. So fucking alone. He'd finally leased a new apartment, a place for the kids to come visit. Kathy needed to be at the house with the kids, he knew that. He was tired of trying to pretend that it was going back to the way it was. The truth of the matter was that he didn't want to fix his marriage. He'd tried, but he had tried for his kids, not because he loved Kathy.

He did love her...he would always love her. He just wasn't in love with her. That day in the warehouse he realized that. And he stopped fighting it. The only problem was...he hadn't planned on Olivia running for the hills. He knew he had all but pushed her away, told her they couldn't be partners anymore. He just never imagined she'd actually pull the plug. Working without her was a blur, he felt like he was barely living, barely hanging on. He knew he was cracking, and so did everyone else. Waiting to cross the street, he thought of the last time he'd seen her, when she came to see him after his fight with Blaine.

I like that shirt.

What are you doing here?

I heard what happened between you and Blaine.

What can I tell you? He's a prick. Why didn't you tell me?

Elliot, we've been partners for seven years. Longer than anybody else here. We needed a change. I'm sorry. I should have talked to you. It's just... just too complicated.

Thanks for dropping by.

Shaking his head he growled, "Thanks for dropping by...real smooth Stabler."

He cursed himself as he crossed the street, he should have fucking kissed her. He should have said something. Anything. Asked her to stay. But Elliot Stabler wasn't good with his feelings, with his words. It was what had ruined every good thing he'd had in his life, Kathy, his strained relationship with his children, and now Olivia. He had no one to blame but himself. He couldn't help but think though that if he had a second chance, he'd do it all differently. He'd tell her, show her, because this life without her wasn't worth living. Walking along the cement sidewalk, he listened to the familiar sounds. The loud honk of the cars in traffic, screeching tires, sirens in the background.

And then he heard something else. A voice. A voice he knew better than anyone. A voice that haunted his dreams every night. "Taxi!"

His head snapped up and he followed the sound. The moment he saw her, his heart stopped. Olivia. He'd spent seven years trying to keep from staring at her across his desk, he got caught more times than he'd like to admit. He was used to seeing her ready to hit the streets, a gun on her hip, covered up, she'd still look beautiful as all hell. But right now, she took his breath away. The dark material of her dress clung to her curves in all the right places, rested just above her knee, half of her back was exposed, the front dipped down and the swell of her breasts peeked out. A gust of wind blew back her short hair, he saw her sigh and turn when a taxi passed her by, "Damn it…"

One foot moved in front of the other before he realized what he was doing. But now that he saw her, he knew this was the chance he had been waiting for. She didn't see him, not at first and he was thankful. He needed to look at her, really look at her, needed to know he wasn't imagining this. He felt like he hadn't slept in weeks so for a moment, he thought maybe he was hallucinating after all. But when she turned slowly, and she saw him, she froze in her spot, her eyes went wide, "Elliot…"

When he was a few feet away from her, he stopped, "Hey Liv…"

Another quick breeze blew through the city and she instantly wrapped her arms around herself, "I uh...hi...what are you doing here?"

Elliot pointed down the street, "I leased an apartment a few blocks up...couldn't find any closer parking."

She followed his hand and nodded slowly, "Oh...you did?" When she turned back to him she frowned, realizing she'd missed a lot, "I didn't realize...I mean I suppose I wouldn't have…" She sighed and then shifted her weight, swaying slightly, "I'm sorry El...I didn't know."

He shook his head and slid his keys into his pocket, "No need to be sorry. It was time...for all of us. There was nothing left to hold onto. We're signing the final papers next week."

Frowning, she moved closer to him and then stopped, stumbling again, "It doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt…"

Elliot looked down, "Are you okay?"

She couldn't help but smile, despite his own pain, he was worried about her, "I'm fine El…"

He cleared his throat and held his coat closer to his chest, a question he wasn't sure he wanted the answer to pass her lips, "Bad date?"

She heard the edge in his voice and for a moment she wanted to feel frustrated. He had no reason to be angry, no reason to be jealous. She wasn't his. Just as he wasn't hers. But their friendship was barely alive at this point and she didn't want to lose him completely, "No...not a bad date. Casey dragged me to some event because her date cancelled last minute...only she found someone better thirty minutes after I got there. Got all dressed up and was sitting in the corner like an idiot and then my shoe broke when I was trying to…"

His eyes narrowed at her, "When you were trying to what?"

She sighed and shook her head, "Just get the hell away from that creep Andrew Kent from the DA office." She rolled her eyes, "Real banner night for Olivia Benson…"

Elliot's heart thudded in his chest and he moved closer, "Did he-"

"No." She shook her head, "El, it's fine. Okay? It's fine."

She heard him sigh loudly, "Liv…"

She smiled and shook her head again, "I can handle a few inappropriate comments El. I've been dealing with it my whole life. And when and if they cross a line...well they learn the hard way."

He smiled proudly, "And he didn't cross any lines?"

"No." She said softly, she looked past him, "Look I uh...I'm starving because I left before dinner started. And my feet are killing me, not to mention the fact that I look ridiculous in this dress so-"

"You don't look ridiculous." He whispered softly, her head turned towards him, "You're beautiful."

He heard her inhale sharply, saw her sway in her spot again on her broken heel, "I…"

Clearing his throat, he realized now was the time to make a move. If he didn't, he'd regret it for the rest of his damn life. He was tired of living with regrets. But more than that, he was tired of living without her. "I think I have a pair of your flip flops in my car...didn't get them back to you. And I too am starving…"

Rocking back on her heels she tried to keep her thoughts in check, "Um…"

"Can't let an outfit like that go to waste." He whispered with a little smirk, "So...what do you say? Grab dinner with me?"

A taxi pulled up beside her and she knew the safe bet would be climbing in and taking off. So much of their relationship had been based on boundaries, building them and carefully making sure they never crossed them. She'd left SVU to avoid her feelings, to avoid the inevitable. She knew how this ended. She knew she'd fall into bed with him, let him promise her things, things she so desperately wanted but didn't think she could have. She knew all the reasons why she should walk away, but staring at him now none of them seemed to matter.

He had moved out. He was getting divorced. They weren't partners anymore. They were just two people. Two people who knew each other better than anyone else in the world. Knew the good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between. Elliot knew her past, knew her fears, her insecurities, and he still cared. Swallowing hard, she looked at the taxi and the driver rolled the window down, "Do you need a ride ma'am?"

Turning towards Elliot again, she saw him waiting, just waiting. She thought for a moment, thought about all the reasons why she should say no again. And then...she decided to finally just say… "Yes."

The cab driver and Elliot both looked confused, not sure who she was answering. She laughed, realizing she had said the word out loud, not in her head. She looked at the cab driver, "I...I don't need a ride. Sorry."

Elliot was pretty sure he had stopped breathing behind her, was she saying yes to him? The cab driver looked at her and then at Elliot, "Are you sure?"

Biting down hard on her lip, she turned to Elliot and nodded, "I'm sure."

The smile that filled his face let her know what he was thinking, that they were both finally on the same page. He heard the taxi pull away from the curb, leaving them alone again. He waited a moment, trying to get his bearings before saying, "So that was a yes to dinner?"

Smiling nervously she shrugged, "Girls gotta eat, right?"

Laughing, Elliot smiled and pointed behind him, "Right. My cars down the street. You okay here if I go grab it? I don't want to leave you but I also don't need you hobbling down the street with me…" He smirked, "I'd suggest giving you a piggyback but I think you'd probably kick my ass for even suggesting it."

She smirked and nodded her head, "You know me so well…"

"Yes. I do." He started to back away, "So...stay put, yeah?"

She laughed and looked down at her broken shoe, "Can't get far…"

Elliot narrowed his eyes at her again and laughed, "Oh you could if you really wanted to run."

"You're right." She raised an eyebrow at him and shrugged, "Guess I just don't want to run then…"

His heart was pounding in his chest as he stepped backwards again, "Good."

As she watched him walk down the street, she wondered if she was making a huge mistake. When her heart flipped in her chest she thought, maybe she was finally making the best decision of her life.

Twenty minutes later, they found themselves in the back of a Sushi restaurant and Elliot was reluctantly staring at a piece of sushi. She couldn't help but laugh, "Elliot…"

"When I said I'd buy you dinner...I thought we'd get pizza, burgers...hell a large steak or a lobster. Not this." He said with a huff.

Rolling her eyes, she pointed at his plate, "Elliot...I got you the California roll. It doesn't have any raw fish in it."

He pointed at the outside a grimace on his face, "It has seaweed…"

Leaning closer to him, "When we got in the car you said I got to pick the place. This is where I picked. So deal with it."

Sighing, he reached for his chopsticks and picked up the piece of sushi, looking at it like it had offended him, "When I die...tell my kids I love them."

Olivia laughed and leaned back in the booth, "One of NYPD's toughest players gets taken down by a piece of sushi. I can see it in the headlines now…"

He huffed and held it closer to his lips, "You really must hate me…"

"Nah. I don't hate you." She whispered looking at him softly, he stared at her for a moment, trying to figure out exactly what she was saying but she just smiled, "But I won't forgive you if you don't try the sushi." He rolled his eyes and she smiled, pouting softly, "Please?"

With another groan, he knew he had no choice, "Not fair…"

Laughing, she smiled when he lifted the offending item to his lips. She waited patiently and smirked when he let out a little whimper before finally taking a bite. She saw him cringe before it even passed his lips as if expecting it to be terrible, but then his face changed and she saw him starting to enjoy it. "So…?"

He took another bite and shrugged, "It's not bad…"

Rolling her eyes she nudged him with her shoulder, "God you're infuriating. You never could just admit when you were wrong about something."

He smiled sadly and shook his head, "No. I couldn't." They sat quietly for a few moments, both pushing around the food on their plates, "Probably why I ended up pushing you away huh?" Her head snapped up to his, "What I said about having to look over my shoulder...wondering if you could do your job-"

She squirmed nervously and leaned back further into the booht, "El-"

"I was wrong." He whispered it, but his eyes never left hers and she knew he meant it, "Liv, I was so wrong. I was...so messed up in the head and I took it out on you. Another bad habit of mine. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it." She looked down at her lap and he knew she felt uncomfortable, "I never, ever questioned your ability to do the job. You're not only the past partner I ever had...but one of the best cops I've ever seen. You made me better."

Taking a deep breath, she looked back up at him slowly, "That hurt…"

"I know." He whispered, "I know it did. I could see it in your face and I wanted to take it back the second I said it but I was stubborn and stupid. And I was...I was scared."

She narrowed her eyes at him, trying to understand, "Scared of what?" He didn't answer and she frowned, "Of me?"

He shook his head slowly, "No. Not of you…"

Somehow she knew what he was thinking. He was afraid of how she made him feel, just like she was afraid of how he made her feel. The very reason she'd run in the first place. Trying to save them both. "Oh."

He sighed and took another bite of his sushi, "I guess it's all more complicated than we realized…"

A shiver ran through her body, and goosebumps covered her arms, "I guess…"

Elliot saw her rubbing her bare arms and he frowned, "Are you cold?"

She bit down hard on her lip, "No…" He went to move closer to her and she shifted to the side, "I'll uh...I'll be right back."

His eyes were wide and as she slipped out of the booth he couldn't stop himself when he reached out and grabbed her hand, "Will you?"

She looked first at his hand in hers, and then up to his eyes, she saw true fear there, "El?"

"Will you be right back or are you running?" He asked softly.

And then she understood. Just as he had hurt her with his words, she had hurt him with her actions. Leaving, running. That had broken his heart. She swallowed the lump in her throat, squeezed his hand and nodded, "Yes. I'll be right back El." She squeezed again and stepped back, "Not running. I promise."

He let go of her hand reluctantly and leaned back in the booth, "Good."

She smiled, her cheeks flushing as she brushed back her hair and turned towards the hallway. Once she got into the bathroom, she leaned against the sink and tried to breathe. The butterflies swarming in her belly were making her dizzy. This was not how she had thought tonight was going to go. She had been reluctant to go with Casey but after begging she'd finally given in and showed up. When she got ditched for a better offer, Olivia felt more alone than ever. Another reminder that she always would be alone. And somehow, somehow he'd showed up right when she needed someone most.

These last few weeks without him had been torture. She knew that it was probably the best choice for them, for their coworkers, but it didn't mean it didn't kill her to walk away. Their partnership was just about the only thing she believed in, that she trusted. And yet it was too heavy now, too confusing. It was getting harder and harder to deny her feelings for him and space felt like the best option. When she looked up in the mirror, her eyes landed on the still healing line on her neck. She remembered his face, the way he'd held her as she lay on the ground, blood pouring down her neck. She remembered staring at him with the gun pressed to his head in the warehouse, the look of defeat on his face and the fear in her heart. She remembered it all. She wondered if like her he woke up in the middle of the night, screaming, sweating, reliving it over and over again?

Her hands shook as she reached for a paper towel, wet it and placed it on the back of her neck. "Breathe Benson...just breathe…"

Little did she know he was outside sitting at the table saying the same thing to himself. His foot tapped on the floor, eyes darting towards the hallway every few seconds desperate to see her coming back. Even though she'd promised, he was still afraid. He was this close, had her right beside him again and it all felt right. The thought of losing her now, losing her again was not something he could handle right now. He knew now. He needed her. He needed her like the very oxygen that filled his lungs, "Breathe Stabler...just breathe…"

When he looked up again she was walking towards him, and that damn dress was going to give him a heart attack. It swayed at her knees, clung to her hips, showed him just enough but still made him want more. He swallowed hard as she slid back into the booth beside him and he smiled, "Everything okay?"

She took a deep breath and he saw something in her shift, saw her shoulders relax, saw her smile just a bit brighter, "Yeah El. Everything is great." She reached for her drink and shrugged, "I'm here with you, how could it not be?"

His heart thumped in his chest and his hand slid along the booth, she didn't hesitate as his fingers touched hers, "I missed you Benson…"

She slid her hand even closer and tangled her pinky with his, "I missed you too Stabler…"

He smiled, reached for his chopsticks again, "But just so we're clear...I'm not eating the raw fish."

She winked at him and nodded, "Noted. Wouldn't want to kill you. Where's the fun in that?"

He felt her shift closer so their arms were touching and he knew, he absolutely knew how this night was going to end. And for the first time in what felt like months, he felt like he could breathe freely. She may have plans, but so did he. And he wasn't about to screw this up again. She deserved the world and come hell or high water he was going to give it to her...

A few hours later, they were roaming the streets of New York City as they had done so many times together, only this was different. They weren't working. They weren't tracking down a perp or a victim. They were just Olivia and Elliot, two people choosing to spend time together. As they walked and talked, he kept looking over at her in that dress and it was hard to stop staring.

She was in the middle of a story about work when she caught him staring again, "El?"

He froze, realizing he had been busted, "Uh...yeah?"

She turned slowly, hands on hips and whispered, "Why do you keep looking at me like that?"

He smiled, bit down on his lip and shrugged, deciding to play innocent, "Like what?"

"Like...you're seeing me for the first time in your life." She said with a laugh, "When in reality you see me more than anyone else in my life. Or…" Her cheeks flushed, "Well you used to…"

He looked down at the ground for a moment, contemplating his answer, trying to decide what would scare her and what would reveal just a little more of his truth, "I guess maybe in a way I'm seeing you for the first time…"

He heard her suck in a little breath, "I don't understand…"

Lifting his head back up, he stared at her, his eyes boring into hers, and then his eyes roamed over her face as he reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, "It feels different. Doesn't it?" She nodded slowly, and he saw her swallow hard, a sign that she was nervous. His hand rested on the curve of her neck and he sighed, "I feel like we've been apart longer than the last few weeks...I feel like I'm seeing the light again. Does that make sense?"

She shifted again and his fingers pressed into her neck making her whimper, "I-I think so."

Elliot nodded, knowing she was feeling overwhelmed and he had to lighten the mood slightly, "I was also wondering about something…"

She frowned, confused by the shift in the conversation, "Oh?"

He laughed and pulled his hand away slightly, "Just something John and Fin were teasing me about a few months ago…"

Rolling her eyes she sighed, "What did they do?"

He shook his head, "I was out of town for that conference in Jersey. And...you guys had that case. With the girl calling 911, you had to track her down. Do you remember it?"

Of course she remembered it. It was one of the cases that would probably stay with her forever. Maria. She would remember the frustration she felt, the agitation when no one else around her believed her. Elliot would have believed in the girl if Olivia did. He would have been right beside her the whole way until they found her. She had often wished that he was there, wondered if they would have found her sooner, "I remember…"

"Well first of all…" He looked back at her and smiled, "They told me how badass you were during the case. How you wouldn't give up, wouldn't listen to anyone who doubted the girl and that made me proud. Because that's you. You will never give up on a victim. You're incredible."

She rocked back on her heels and shrugged, "Someone has to fight for them…"

Elliot nodded, "You're right. And they are always lucky to have you fighting for them. Always."

She bit down on her lip and cocked her head to the side, "I still don't understand what they were teasing you about…"

Elliot smiled and reached up to rub the back of his neck, "John said it was probably a good thing I wasn't around because I would have had a stroke if I had seen you all dressed up. And I was wondering…"

She looked down and laughed, understanding what he was saying, "Uh...yeah I was wearing this dress."

She heard him groan softly and then whisper, "Yeah...it was probably better I wasn't there after all."

She blushed and looked down at herself, "It's just a dress…"

He laughed and threw his head back, "Just a dress? Okay...well you're wearing the hell out of it Benson so…"

She scrunched up her nose, and squirmed slightly, "El…"

"I think he was probably more concerned about me seeing your date though." He sighed and walked closer to her, "He knew I would have been jealous as all hell…"

She inhaled sharply as he got closer to her, "Well...that was our third cancelled date because of the job so he's long gone. Just like all the rest of them…"

"While I'm happy to hear that…" He moved even closer, "He's an idiot…" He saw her breath coming in short and fast and he smiled, "You're worth the wait...and if he didn't know that then he isn't worth it. He doesn't deserve you…"

He was so close now, she could feel the warmth of his body, smell the cologne he wore, the beer on his lips, "Elliot…"

"I'd wait forever if you needed me too." His voice was soft, low, but sure and confident.

Her eyes fluttered shut as she felt him moving closer, she was anticipating the moment when he would kiss her, he was so close she could taste it, "Elliot…"

He watched her face in the dim street light, saw the blush in her cheeks, knew she was waiting for him to kiss her. And as much as he wanted too, now wasn't the moment. So he smiled and kissed her cheek, "Come on…"

She stumbled slightly, confused by what had just happened. And when she looked up, she saw him staring at her, a grin on his face, "What-"

She shivered and he smiled harder, pulling the suit jacket from his shoulders and carefully draped it over her arms, "Come on…" He repeated again, but she stood still, "Do you trust me?"

Clinging to the material on her arms she let the slight worry ease when she looked at him. He wasn't playing games. He was just trying to prove a point. That he would wait. And it made her heart pound in her chest. She also knew the answer to his question was important. He knew her well enough to know that trust was just as important if not more than love for Olivia. To say she trusted him would prove that she too was in this right beside him and he was waiting. Only, she didn't want to make him wait forever, "I trust you more than anyone in this world Elliot…"

She saw him relax, saw him start to pull her along again, "Good. That's good." He wrapped his arm tighter around her shoulder and dropped a kiss to her temple.

And for now, that was enough.

By the time he pulled up in front of her apartment, the flirting and playful banter was on a new level, even for them. She felt it brewing between them. She knew what she wanted but he still seemed to be holding back just slightly and she wasn't sure why. Staring up at the building in front of her, she didn't want to go in, "Well...this is me."

Elliot peeked out the window and nodded, "Yep."

She reached for the door handle and smiled, "Well...thanks for saving me tonight. I assumed I'd end up in sweats on the couch eating cold takeout again."

Elliot smiled, "I was assuming that was my night too...but I'm damn glad I ran into you."

Her heart was pounding in her chest and she reached for the handle, "So...I'll see you later?"

He reached for his door handle, surprising her, "I'll walk you up."

She took a quick breath and smiled, "I could just blink my lights...that's usually what you ask me to do."

Elliot nodded and excited the car, quickly walking around to her side and opening her door for her, "You could...but I want to walk you up if that's okay."

Staring up at him, she saw him watching her, once again waiting for her response. It wasn't that he hadn't come to her apartment before, or walked her up. But again, this felt different. Everything felt different. But different felt good in this instance. Damn good. Looking up at him, he held out his hand and smiled, "That's okay with me."

She still had his coat over her shoulders, and she held it with one hand as he helped her up onto the curb. She noticed that his hand held on tighter, unwilling to let her go. They walked to the door together and she put in the code to get let in. Riding the elevator up to her floor, their hands were still clasped together and no words were spoken. When they got to the door, she reluctantly let go of his hand and unlocked the door, but his hand moved to her back and she felt the heat rising.

Pushing the door open, she turned to look at him, "So…"

He smiled and leaned against the wall, "So…"

Biting down hard on her lip, she stepped across the threshold, "You probably have to work early…"

"I do." He said with a nod, "And so do you?" She nodded again but he stepped into the apartment beside her, "Liv…"

Her heart was pounding and she leaned against the wall behind her, sure she would fall over if he got any closer, "Yes?"

He stepped up all the way to her and smiled, "I had a really great time tonight…"

Her back arched off the wall and his hands settled on her hips, "I did too…"

His eyes roamed over her body and he sighed, "God you're beautiful…"

Her hands fell to his biceps and squeezed, "El…"

Clearing his throat, he leaned in closer to her, "I really want to kiss you…"

His hands rubbed circles against the flimsy material of her dress, "I'm not stopping you…"

He took one more step closer, leaning all the way down his lips hovered over hers, "This changes everything if we do this…"

One hand slowly began to creep up his arm, and rested on the back of his neck, "El? Everything changed a long time ago...we've just been dancing around this. And after tonight...I'm tired."

Reaching out, he ran his hand through her hair and smiled, "Me too."

He felt her take a deep breath before he pressed his lips to hers. Her eyes fluttered shut but his remained open, not wanting to miss this. He kissed her softly, gently, slowly. And then, they both melted against each other, he trapped her against the wall and she clung to him desperately. As soon as her tongue traced his bottom lip he groaned into her mouth. He felt like he was drowning in her and he knew where this was going. As much as he wanted it, he knew he had to do this a certain way, had to prove that he was serious that he wasn't just in this for sex. He knew she'd been used that way before and he'd be damned if he was put in the category with one of those other men. He wanted to be different. He wanted to be the one.

Pulling back, he saw her cheeks flushed, her lips swollen from his kiss and he sighed, "Liv…"

Taking a deep breath she reached for him again, "Why are you stopping?"

"Not stopping. Just taking a breath." He smiled and reached down between them, his hand moving from her hip down her thigh, "I really like this dress."

She gasped as his hand slid up under the hem of the material, "El…"

"Tell me that you don't want to go on another date with that guy...with anyone." He nuzzled the side of her face as his hand moved up higher, "Tell me Liv…"

She whimpered as his fingers slid across the lace of her panties, "Elliot…"

"I need to know Liv. I need to know that you want me too. Please God tell me you want me too." He pressed his lips to the curve of her neck as his fingers pushed the material aside, he could feel how wet she was, how warm and he wanted to bury himself between her legs. But not tonight, tonight he wanted this to be about her, "Olivia...say it."

His fingers thrust up hard and she gasped, "I don't want him. I don't want anyone else." Her head fell back against the wall, "I-I-Fuck."

He slid a second finger inside of her just as his thumb grazed her clit making her shudder. He pulled back so he could see her face, "Tell me you want me."

"I want you." She panted, rolling her hips, needing more friction, "God I want you so bad Elliot. Only you."

He smiled and bunched up her dress at her hips with his free hand and curled his fingers up inside of her, "Fuck you're so wet…"

She wanted to feel embarrassed, wanted to deny him but she couldn't. But she smiled, reaching out, she could feel him hard, straining against his pants, "Tell me you want me too…"

Elliot smiled and moved his hips back so she couldn't touch him as he continued to thrust his fingers harder and faster, "You know I want you Liv. I've always wanted you. But hands off…"

She frowned and let her hand fall to the wall behind her, "Elliot what-"

"No touching." He smiled when she whimpered, "Just relax…"

She laughed and soon swallowed it and bit back a loud moan as he pressed his thumb harder against her clit, "Relax? You're kidding me, right?"

Elliot laughed and kissed her softly, "You are so fucking sexy Olivia. So fucking sexy…"

Her hands slid against the wall behind her, "Right...there...please…"

He bent his knees to get more traction and moved his lips to suck on the spot just below her ear as he brought her higher and higher, "Come on Liv...come for me."

Her hand shot out and grabbed his arm, her hips rocking against him, "Fuck Elliot!"

He bit down hard on his lip, pulled back, wanting to watch her come undone under his touch, "Come."

She shook against him, feeling it just there, ready to explode under the surface. Sweat trickled down her neck, between her breasts and he was smiling at her, so determined, "I-I-"

He growled and thrust a third finger up inside of her making her walls clamp down around him, "Come."

Her eyes squeezed shut and she cried out for him, her knees buckling, "Elliot!"

He smiled and continued to push his fingers in and out of her, bringing her back down, "That's it baby…"

Her breathing came in hard and fast and she held on tight to him, "Jesus Christ…"

He laughed and kissed her softly again, "I'm really glad Casey ditched you tonight…"

She looked up at him, her hands shaking as she reached for him, "Me too…"

He smiled, pulled his fingers from her and watched her slump against the wall, satisfied with himself. She watched in amazement as the man she'd known for seven years took his fingers and put them in his mouth, tasting her, his eyes grew dark with desire, "Mmm…" He leaned forward and kissed her again, eyes wide open and then pulled away, "You work tomorrow night?"

Her mind was spinning and she was trying to keep up with him, "I? What?"

He started to step back, pulled at his shirt and smiled, "Do you have to work tomorrow night?"

She cleared her throat nervously and nodded, "Y-yes."

He frowned but then nodded, "What about Wednesday?"

She saw him stepping back towards the door and she was confused as to why he was walking away, "N-No. I'm not supposed to."

He smiled, "Good. I have tickets to a Rangers game but Dickie can't go. I'll pick you up at 6:30."

He moved closer to the door and she reached for him, "Wait-what-I-"

He smiled and tangled his hand in her hair, "You really do look so beautiful tonight. But dress warm on Wednesday. Although...if you're cold...I'll warm you up."

She shook her head, clinging to his arms, "What just happened? Why are you leaving? I thought-"

"Tonight was about you Liv." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, "I told you I can wait and I meant that."

She frowned and looked down at him, clearly seeing the strain still evident there, he wanted her, "But you don't have to. I told you I want-"

"I know." He kissed her cheek again and then her lips softly, "But I'm not rushing this Benson. I'm taking you out on Wednesday, I'm gonna pick you up at the door. I'm gonna bring you flowers. I'm going to hold doors open for you and show you how serious I am about this. That this isn't just some fling...a rebound...that I want you. Only you."

She pulled him closer, "Don't go…"

Elliot smiled and kissed her again, "I have to go Liv...okay?" She pouted softly and he smiled, "I gotta give you a reason to come back for more."

She pulled him closer still, "El…"

Leaning down, he caught her eyes and smiled, "I missed you like hell Benson. I'm not going to screw this one up. You're stuck with me now."

He pulled away and she stumbled forward, "Elliot…"

"Sleep well Liv." He kissed her cheek and pointed at his coat, still draped over her shoulders, "Hold onto that for me?" He winked and turned the door knob behind him, "Looks better on you anyway."

Leaning against the side of the door she watched him step into the hallway, "There's no talking you out of this?"

Elliot shook his head and stepped back further, "Nope."

She sighed and leaned her hip into the doorframe, "Wednesday?"

"Wednesday." He said with a nod and took another step back, "Be safe Liv."

"Always." She whispered, "Goodnight El…"

"Goodnight Liv…" He gave her a wink and then turned to walk down the hall.

As he walked towards the elevator she called out to him, "Hey Stabler!" He turned to look at her as the elevator doors opened, "Blink your lights when you get to the car."

His cheeks flushed and he smiled, "You'll stand up here all night at the window until I do won't you?"

She smiled and nodded slowly, "Yep."

"Stubborn woman." He said with a knowing smile as he stepped back into the open doors.

"Yes. I am." She whispered back and her heart flipped in her chest when she watched him laughing as the doors closed.

She closed the door behind her, took a few steadying breaths and then practically ran to the window. Her fingers dug into the windowsill as she waited. When she saw him emerge onto the sidewalk she saw him walking with a little more swagger, saw a smile on his face from the light of the moon. He glanced up towards her window and saw her, and his smile grew. Then he walked to the car, climbed in and blinked his lights twice and she waved.

As he pulled away she thought about how complicated things truly were. But maybe...maybe just maybe complicated didn't have to be a bad thing...

"Many The Miles"

There's too many things that I haven't done yet

There's too many sunsets I haven't seen

You can't waste the day wishing it'd slow down

You would've thought by now

I'd have learned something

I made up my mind when I was a young girl

I've been given this one world

I won't worry it away, no

Now and again I lose sight of the good life

I get stuck in a low light

But then love comes in

How far do I have to go to get to you

Many the miles

Many the miles

How far do I have to go to get to you

Many the miles

But send me the miles and I'll be happy to follow you, love

I do what I can wherever I end up

To keep giving my good love

And spreading it around

'Cause I've had my fair share of take care and goodbyes

I've learned how to cry

And I'm better for that

Sing, how far do I have to go to get to you

Many the miles

Many the miles

How far do I have to go to get to you

Many the miles

Send me the miles and I'll be happy to, yeah

Red letter day and I'm in a blue mood

Wishing that blue would just carry me away

I've been talking about

Don't know if it's helping or not

But surely something has got to, got to, got to give

'Cause I can't keep waiting to live

How far do I have to go to get to you

Many the miles

Many the miles

How far do I have to go to get to you

Many the miles

But send me the miles and I'll be happy to yeah

How far do I have to go to get to you

Many the miles

Many the miles

How far do I have to go to get to you

Many the miles

Many the miles

I've been talking to God, don't know if it's helping or not

Many the miles

Many the miles

How far do I have to go to get to you

Many the miles

Ooh, send me the miles and I'll be happy to

Follow you, love

There's too many things I haven't done yet

There's too many sunsets I haven't seen