"Amanda, right?" Elliot asked with a smile.

"Yes, Amanda Rollins", she replied extending her arm to Elliot.

Elliot shook her hand. "Liv in her office?"

"Yes."

"Thank you for letting Noah spend the night tonight."

"Not a problem the girls adore Noah and are so excited to have a sleepover," Amanda said.

Elliot smiled and headed in the direction of Liv's office.

"Stabler?" Amanda said.

"Call me Elliot."

"Elliot, Liv has been through a lot mentally and physically since you left. I've known her for 10 years and have never met anyone stronger."

Elliot scrutinized Amanda, wondering what she wasn't saying.

"I know that Liv is strong," Elliot said defensively.

"Liv has a lot of people here who love her. Don't you dare hurt her," Amanda threatened, "or you will have a lot of people to answer to."

Elliot nodded, "I don't intend to hurt her."

"Good," Amanda replied, curtly.

Elliot turned around and walked towards Liv's office, considering Amanda's warning. He was glad to know Liv had people looking out for her. He knocked lightly on the door frame to her office. She was on the phone but waved him in.

"Thanks, Carisi," Liv said before putting down the phone.

"Hey, El. Sorry, I'm just wrapping up here."

"No problem."

"Carisi, the ADA, used to be a member of my squad."

"Moved up in the world, huh?" Elliott joked.

"Yeah, something like that," Olivia laughed.

While Olivia finished up the last bit of paperwork, Elliot studied the changes in her during his absence. She was 10 years older, of course, but no less beautiful than the day he'd first met her. She'd aged far more gracefully than he had, he mused, with her lush curves more prominent.

"I just have to use the ladies' room before we go."

"I'll be waiting right here," Elliot replied.

Elliot watched her walk away, like he'd done many times before. His eyes skimmed her desk after she turned corner. There were pictures of Noah (and her with Noah) peppered throughout the office. Elliot picked one up and studied it. He must look like his father, he thought with a frown. He didn't see Liv in the boy, other than perhaps his smile.

"That's from a photo shoot we did in the Park. I had bribe him with ice cream to put on that button down," Olivia said with a grin.

"He's adorable, Liv."

"Him and this job, they're my whole life," Olivia said.

"I hope you have a little room for me," Elliot six with a charming smile.

"There's always been room for you, El," Olivia replied.

Elliot smiled broadly.

"Ready to go?" he asked.

Olivia followed Elliot out of the building and into a cab.

"I found a nice wine bar not too far from your place," Elliot turned to say.

"Sounds great," Olivia said, flashing a smile.

They arrived at the bar about 10 minutes later. As they left the cab, Elliot reached for Olivia. She looked taken aback, and he was about to drop it when she entangled her fingers with his. When they sat down at a table, Elliot perused the extensive wine list.

"I recommend the Ornellaia. One of the best wines in Tuscany," Elliot said.

Olivia chuckled, "Quite the wine connoisseur these days?"

Elliot laughed in return, "That's what living in Italy will do to you. As they say, when in Rome..., no pun intended."

"I can imagine."

"It's so beautiful there. I'd like to take you some day," Elliot said cautiously.

Olivia smiled, "I'm 53 and have never been to Europe. I was supposed to go to Paris, Noah, Ed, and I."

"Ed?" Elliot questioned, wondering if this was Noah's father.

Olivia sighed, "Ed Tucker, we were in a relationship a few years ago."

"Ed Tucker," an astonished Elliot said, "Ed Tucker from IAB?"

"Yes, the same."

"Wow," was all Elliot managed. She'd dated Ed Tucker in his absence? He had no words. Hmm, a few years ago, so certainly not Noah's father.

Olivia chuckled, "Ed was a good guy. He was good to me...and Noah."

"Was? Did he die?"

"Yes," Olivia replied sadly, "he got a diagnosis of terminal cancer and took his life to spare his loved ones."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Liv."

"Thanks."

The rest of dinner passed with conversations about his children, the adventures he of living with his mother, and tales if life in OC. Olivia regaled him with stories of Noah and her squad.

Elliott marveled at how, 10 years later, they just picked up where they'd left off, still finishing each other's sentences.

After dinner abs two glasses of wine each, Elliot hailed a cab and gave the driver Olivia's address. The cab pulled up to her building. Olivia turned to Elliot, "Do you...um...want to come up?"

Elliot smiled, "Would love to."

When they got to Olivia's apartment, she sat down on the couch and invited Elliot to sit beside her.

"Liv," Elliot said softly, "thank you for giving me a second chance."

"El, I- I, how could I not?"

Elliot reached for her hand, "Leaving you was the hardest thing I've ever had to do and a day didn't go by that I don't regret. I might regret that even more than staying in my unhappy marriage."

Olivia flinched at the mention of his marriage, but he continued "When we got married, I thought Kathy was my soulmate. Then, I met you, Liv."

Elliot brought his hand up to Olivia's cheek and gently stroked it, "I met you, and I knew I'd been wrong."

Elliot inched closer to Olivia and captured her lips with his. When he slipped his tongue into her mouth, she left out a soft moan. Elliot tangled his fingers in her hair. He felt like a besotted school boy and couldn't believe their moment had for finally come. Twenty-three years he'd loved. Twenty-three years he'd wanted her. And in this minute, she was his. He kissed her until he needed to take a breath, then placed his lips on her neck, gently sucking. Olivia's hands were pressed against his chest then slid under his shirt. Elliot sighed at the feel of her touch on his back. He looked up into her eyes, asking permission to unbutton her blouse. She gave an almost imperceptible nod. Elliot set to work unbuttoning the top button then kissing the exposed skin. He stopped when he saw a discoloration - three small circles. Elliot had seen these marks on women and children so many times, there was no mistaking them. They were cigarette burns.

Elliot met Olivia's brown eyes with his blue ones. "What - who did this to you?"

Olivia looked away, tears springing to her eyes.

"Liv, tell me."

Olivia took a deep breath and uttered, "William Lewis."